The city of Norman’s Adult Wellness and Education Center opened its doors during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday to residents ages 50 and up, as part of the Norman Forward Quality of Life Initiative.
Normanites both filled and surrounded the large tent outside the new center, where they enjoyed music and conversations before the center’s contributors thanked the community for their support.
Healthy Living Norman operates the $14 million state-of-the-art facility, which promotes wellness, education and community engagement.
“I'm excited by the programming that means to connect adults in creating community through social wellness activities initiatives, it's really important,” Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant said during the ceremony.
An art dedication for Oklahoma artists Tiffany McKnight and Aunj Braggs’s mural titled “Vibrant Connections” followed the ribbon cutting. The mural celebrates how people are connected through an array of colors, contrasted with an Oklahoma landscape.
With a variety of programs, classes and services to improve the well-being of Normanites 50 years or older, the center aims to become a “cornerstone of the community,” according to a release from the city of Norman.
The project has been in development for over a decade. Input from the community was crucial to the process as surveys, workshops and ad hoc boards shaped the center to meet the community's diverse needs, according to the release.
“The road was long to finally find ourselves here on this day,” former Ward 4 Councilmember Lee Hall said. “(We) finally found this home here in (the) core (of) Norman, the heart and soul of our community.”
Mayor Larry Heikkila said the original plan was going to be a shorter process for a worse product.
“It's a whole new idea, a whole different way of thinking about wellness centers,” Heikkila said. “I'm proud to be at least a little bit part of that because this will go for generations, and it's going to make Norman one of the best places that we can live in Oklahoma.”
The facility includes a walking track, warm saltwater pool, multi-purpose rooms for classes and exercise, cardio equipment, classrooms for art, a strength training area and a teaching kitchen, all held within 30,000 square feet.
The activities offered at the center include personal training, group exercise classes, pickleball, drawing and painting, pottery, mixed media, floral design and healthy cooking classes. The center will also host events such as seminars, movie nights and festivals.
“Some features I think are outstanding and have me excited to use this facility when I'm 50 are the kilns in the art room,” Grant said. “As an artist, I'm always looking for opportunities to connect and create with my community.”
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd, Alexia Aston and Taylor Jones. Ryan Little and Grace Rhodes copy edited this article.
