Big day at hand for Wellness Center

Friday grand opening will include host of activities

The new Wellness Center on Lafayette Street is nearing completion, and staff is gearing up for the grand opening soon.
The new Wellness Center on Lafayette Street is nearing completion, and staff is gearing up for the grand opening soon.

Jefferson City Parks and Recreation is planning a full day of activities Friday to celebrate the grand opening of the University Wellness and Parks Multipurpose Recreation Center.

The day begins at 11 a.m. with the formal ceremony and naming of the center.

From noon-1 p.m., the Lincoln University Senior Group will host bingo games.

From 1-3 p.m., there will be demonstrations of "pickle ball," a paddle sport for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn; but it can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. Pickle ball combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It's played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net. Players use a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It can be played as doubles or singles.

At 3 p.m., there will be youth basketball mini-clinics hosted by the Lincoln University men's and women's basketball teams.

At 4 p.m., a volleyball mini-clinic will be conducted by the H2 Volleyball organization.

At 5 p.m., Lincoln University strength and conditioning coach Zach Fears will conduct a clinic.

At 6 p.m., the LU men's and women's basketball teams will have another clinic, and H2 will conduct another volleyball clinic.

Tours of the facility will also be conducted throughout the day, and residents are also welcome to walk around by themselves.

Aaron Grefrath, assistant director of the city's Parks department and resident manager at the Wellness Center, said 159 adult day passes and 294 youth day passes have been purchased since the center opened at the end of last month.

For Lincoln students, the cost to use the center is built into tuition. Jefferson City residents can pay for a single visit or buy a membership. Various membership packages are available.

The Wellness Center is located at 1299 Lafayette St.