Alison Hedgpeth
One of the City of Dillon’s major assets in the community is the $4.1 million Wellness Center located at 1647 Commerce Drive.
The 40,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility is much more than a sports and fitness complex- it’s a venue for a plethora of activities that there previously had been no place to properly accommodate in years past.
Opened in March, 2007, the Wellness Center will be celebrating its eighth anniversary this year.
If one wants to get in shape, there are a variety of memberships available at the Wellness Center’s fitness center. Rates are available for individuals, couples, senior citizens, and young adults. Corporate rates are offered as well as rates for daily users.
Some of the equipment available for use includes: LifeFitness 93T Treadmills, LifeFitness 91Xi Cross Trainers, LifeFitness 90S Stairclimbers, LifeFitness 90R Recumbent Lifecycles, LifeFitness Cable Motion Series Dual Adjustable Pulley, LifeFitness Cable Motion Series Seated Row, LifeFitness Pro 2 Chin/Dip Assist, LifeFitness Pro 2 Seated Leg Press, and LifeFitness Pro 2 Leg Extension.
Free weights are available, and many play basketball in the 12,000 sq. ft. gym when not in use by other events.
Services available in the fitness center include aerobics, spinning classes, and Zumba classes and massage therapy.
Amenities in the fitness center include a trained staff, locker room with showers, dry sauna, lounge, wireless internet, and cable television. Personal trainers are available.
There are two indoor walking tracks – one inside the gym (14 laps equals one mile) and one outside the gym that goes through the Wellness Center. There is also an asphalted outdoor walking path which will feature five educational nodes sponsored by local clubs. They include: Yellow Jessamine Garden Club: Woods Edge, Kiwanis Club: Open Fields/Meadow, Dillon Garden Club: Rain Garden, Glove and Trowel Garden Club: Edible/Pollinator, and Lions Club: Native and Introduced Plants.
Benches mark the location of each one of the nodes. The path also has asphalted bump-outs, where they plan to have exercising/stretching stations. Access to the indoor and outdoor walking tracks is absolutely free of charge with no membership fee or daily user fee required.
Various rental spaces are available for events such as meeting, receptions, banquets, etc. A multi-purpose room, conference room, and gymnasium are available for a reasonable rental fee.
The 2,320 sq. ft. (40’x58’) multi-purpose room has tables, chairs, and a podium available along with a television, internet access connection, cable tv connection, and wireless connection available at no connection charge. There is a catering kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave. It has exterior entrances.
The 20’x30’ conference room has tables, chairs, wireless internet with no connection charge, a television with a cable tv connection, and podium. There is an attached restroom.
The 12,000 sq. ft. gymnasium is available for rent and has been used for wedding receptions, sports tournaments, etc. The city also holds summer camp annually at the facility.
The availability of rental space make several events possible at the facility including the Father-Daughter Dance, Breakfast With Santa, Indoor Yard Sales, McLeod Annual Health Fair, and the annual Holiday Goodness arts and crafts fair. Added this past year was an antiques appraisal fair, and this year, the city is looking at the possibility of hosting a coin show.
Also coming soon is an outdoor playground. Construction is expected to begin on this addition in the very near future.
The Wellness Center is open Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. It is closed on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
For more information on how to join the Wellness Center or rentals, please call 774-5115. Larry Turner is the Wellness Center Director.
