Rhonnie Newton, Development Committee member; Danny Sanford, executive director of Still Hopes; Cameron Todd, honorary chairman; announce plans for the Wellness Center at Still Hopes. Residents of the Still Hopes home for seniors won’t be sitting still next year if a committed group of volunteers led by long–time Still Hopes supporter and future resident, Cameron Todd, gets its way.

The group kicked off the public phase of a $2.8 million capital campaign Thursday, July 28, to raise funds to construct a wellness center on the Still Hopes 38–acre campus.

Conceptual Wellness Center at Still Hopes Still Hopes director of public relations Robin Gorman said, “Still Hopes is dedicated to creating the fullest quality of life for the senior residents that call our facility home. With the addition of the wellness center, our seniors will be able to strengthen and maintain their physical well being by utilizing the swimming pool, resistance and cardio studios, and outdoor exercise areas.”

Denise Heimlich, director of wellness programs, said the center’s pool is being custom designed and will be used for a variety of activities including water aerobics, water walking, physical therapy, and, of course, lap swimming. The pool will be accessible to just about any senior of any mobility level.

Conceptual Fitness Center at Still Hopes The wellness center will also have a fitness area complete with Keiser strength equipment originally designed for seniors along with regular exercise equipment and an upper body ergometer.

Aerobics programs will also be offered for all ability levels along with two therapy rooms for massages and other therapeutic techniques. The wellness center will provide blood pressure checks and other health monitoring devices to Still Hopes residents.

Conceptual Fitness Center at Still Hopes As Cravens Ravenel, chairman of the campaign, put it, “Visiting grandchildren won’t come to Still Hopes to look at Granddad just sit there.” The wellness center will provide seniors access to exercise enhancing their energy levels, increasing their quality of life, and adding to the enjoyment of their daily routines.

Heimlich hopes the center will become a social center for residents where they can gather to swim a few laps together or simply share a conversation. Gorman says they plan to break ground on the center at the end of 2005 and hopes they’ll be using it by the end of 2006.

Conceptual Aquatic Center at Still Hopes