Dexter, Chelsea Officials Break Ground on New Wellness Center

A small group of residents and community leaders put their shovels to the dirt at the future home of the on Friday morning during a ceremonial "breaking ground" event.

The 48,000 square foot facility is set to open in 2013 and will feature a pool, saunas, gymnasium, strength and aerobic equipment, classroom space and other amenities. In addition to the center, Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists will occupy 2,000 square feet in the same building.

The facility is being constructed by A.R. Brouwer Company and will be leased by the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation.

“We are very pleased to be constructing the Dexter Wellness Center for the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation. The CWF’s mission to improve the health and wellness of residents in the five local communities they serve is something that A.R. Brouwer Company strongly supports," CEO Steve Brouwer said. "We are excited to see the positive impact on the Dexter community."

Amy Heydlauff, executive director of the CWF said the wellness center is a welcome addition to Dexter.

“A feasibility study in Dexter demonstrated pent-up demand. The Chelsea Wellness Center has nearly 200,000 visits per year. We know those visits positively impact the health of our 3,500 Chelsea Wellness Center members," she said. "Dexter demographics suggest we will have at least as many annual visits in Dexter and that amounts to a huge impact on the health of residents.”

Dexter Village Council Trustee Paul Cousins, a member of Dexter’s Wellness Coalition, had high praise for the project.

“I can hardly decide what makes me happier: the potential impact on our health; the proximity to the schools and family focus; or the improvement in our village by getting rid of old industrial buildings. I think this will have an impact broader than Dexter, too," he said. "We’re part of something important here and in our surrounding communities. It’s wonderful.”

Pre-opening membership will be available and will be announced in the coming weeks.

Architectural plans for the building are available on www.5healthytowns.org.