JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 20, 2024 — Union University dedicated its new Wellness Center Aug. 19, officially opening the new fitness facility that is more than four times larger than the previous space.
“This is a very exciting day for us,” Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said. “For all of us at Union, it's a day that we've hoped for and dreamed about for several years.”
Located along the main hallway in the Penick Academic Complex in the space that the library formerly occupied, the new Wellness Center features a group fitness space, turf area, a 10-station rig system, including five power racks and five half-racks, and a plate-loaded section, in addition to a Vertimax multi-faceted training system.
Taylor Construction and Restoration was the main contractor for the project.
Oliver said the new Wellness Center aligns with the fourth theme of “Protinus,” Union’s strategic plan that the university adopted in 2023, “enhancing our culture of shared life and commitment to one another’s flourishing.”
“There is indeed a strong commitment to our flourishing when you get in this facility,” he said. “And we recognize that a strong sense of community doesn’t just happen, that it requires intentionality, and it requires diligence.”
One of the ways Union has focused its attention on student and employee well-being is through the new Wellness Center.
“We're here today to dedicate this space, thanking God for his provision for us and dedicating it to his glory and for our good,” he said.
Ivy Marie Adkisson, director for campus recreation at Union, said the new space was designed with accessibility and ease-of-use in mind, catering to individuals of all fitness levels.
“When you sit down at a machine, there’s a QR code that explains what you’re doing, how to adjust the machine and what muscles the machine works,” Adkisson said. “That way, whether you are someone who comes to the gym regularly or who has never been to the gym before, you feel comfortable in the environment.”
In addition to new equipment, the Wellness Center includes a space for fitness classes such as yoga, spinning, high-intensity interval training and weightlifting, which will be offered on a rotating schedule daily.
The Wellness Center is free for students and Union faculty and staff. Memberships are available for alumni and community members. For more information, email campusrec@uu.edu.
