3 days ago
Construction to get underway on long awaited Wilfong Wellness Center in Fairmont
FAIRMONT — The new Wilfong Wellness Center will be more about than a recreational center for people with disabilities.
It's also making a statement.
'The majestic feel that we sit atop this Gateway Connector, that we are to be seen, that people with disabilities are to be seen and that we are the envy of our community, and we are the pride of our community,' Disability Action Center Executive Director Julie Sole said. 'That's what's so meaningful about this location.'
The Disability Action Center broke ground on its $2 million, 5,500 square-foot wellness center Thursday morning. City and state officials celebrated the project, which has been four years in the making.
Sole said the location of the new Wilfong Wellness Center is in stark contrast to the DAC's former location, where a center dedicated to serving people with disabilities wasn't as easily seen.
Last October, when the Marion County Commission allocated funds to the project from its American Rescue Plan Act funds, County Commission President Ernie VanGilder expressed concern that the cost of construction materials would rise due to the damage wrought by several powerful storms during hurricane season. And rise they did.
'Price is always a factor,' Mark Eli, construction manager for the Huffman Corporation, said. 'Everything went up after COVID. Once it goes up, it never goes down. But that's why they brought us in to try and get within the budget that they're looking at. And that's what we're striving to do.'
Sole also acknowledged the possibility of cost overruns due to rising construction costs, but said that's why it was important to build as much as possible as fast as possible to keep costs low.
Wayne Huffman, owner of Huffman Corporation, said he was glad to be helping out by building the structure. He said his own company has been blessed in multiple ways, which is what allows his company to give back to the community.
'We're transparent with our numbers, and I know a lot of these people,' Huffman said. 'They know that they don't have to worry about us. We're going to try to do it as much as we can with as much money as they've got.'
Kevin Wilfong, who's family is the namesake of the center, has a personal connection to the center. His younger brother was born with hydrocephaly in 1952, which causes an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. His brother died at age seven. After the diagnosis, his family spent their lives working to better the conditions of people living with disabilities in Fairmont.
The DAC actually traces its genesis to the Wilfong family, who started the original organization before it evolved and transformed into the DAC over the years. Kevin Wilfong donated toward the cost of the building.
Wilfong said the building is being built specifically for the clients of the Disability Action Center in mind, as it features wheelchair access and other accessibility features. The wellness center's floor plan is split into two sections. The first section has a gym that will come with pickleball courts, a basketball court and spectator seating, while the second half of the building has lockers and a fitness center with exercise equipment and recreation space. There will also be office space for therapy and counseling.
Wilfong said physical exercise is important to a productive life, and the center will ensure people with disabilities will have their physical needs met.
'The clients have all they need in the main DAC building,' Wilfong said. 'But what this will do is provide much needed physical exercise they can all enjoy and participate in. It's a big need and we hope to get that fulfilled.'
