Year 1 of the Urbana Park District’s Health and Wellness Center has been an unqualified success.
The building, located at 2002 E. Washington St. in Urbana, opened last January to great fanfare and has lived up to the billing. More than 2,000 members have joined — UPD’s initial goal was 800 — with more than 50,000 visits.
“I think it’s amazing,” Jameel Jones, UPD’s outreach and wellness manager, said. “It’s been a joy to see people embrace the space and enjoy all the activities that we have. We make sure we are listening and providing as much as we can.”
To celebrate, the park district is inviting everyone — yes, YOU — to its anniversary celebration at the center from 2-5 p.m. on Jan. 3. Visitors can enjoy the facility’s regular features as well as special activities that are planned. In addition, new and existing members can take advantage of a promotion in which you receive a one-year membership by paying for just 11 months.
Jones and his crew saw an immediate positive response when the facility opened last Jan. 4. And, listening to user feedback, made a hasty change, increasing weekend hours. It now opens at 8 a.m. on Saturdays (originally 10 a.m.) and 10 a.m. on Sundays (originally noon).
Another change: Adding more nets and opportunities for pickleball players.
“It’s a sport that has definitely taken off all across the world and we have some very dedicated individuals that come and play pickleball every day,” Jones said, with six courts set up for pickleball on most weekdays.
Jones hopes to maintain and build upon that 2,000-member figure while enhancing the facility’s reputation in the community.
“We want to make this a destination,” he said. “That’s the whole point of building a facility like this. Make it a destination, make it viable and make sure people feel welcomed and love to keep coming back.”