BENZIE AQUATIC CENTER
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Mission Statement
The Benzie Wellness and Aquatic Center aspires to a healthy Benzie community where all will flourish.
About This Cause
Our purpose is to connect people, engage families and ignite personal transformation through well-being services, spaces and programs for everyone. Our project will feature multiple pools (a lap pool plus a warm water program and therapy pool), exercise/fitness space (indoor walking track, movement studios, cardio/free weights/strength training, and full-size gym), full range of locker rooms, function space (multi-purpose community spaces for classes, events, etc.), and drop-in child watch (for children accompanying adults on site using the facility). The BWAC Board is teaming up with local prospective partner organizations, advisory groups, stakeholders and the wider community to create an integrated entity that provides a continuum of care to promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being in Benzie County. Did you know … Many school-age children in Benzie County can’t swim 25 yards to save their own life or the life of a friend. Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children under the age of 5 and the 2nd leading cause of injury-related death for children under the age of 15. Only 25% of adults and 20% of high school students fully meet physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. Obesity is on the rise in Benzie County. One-third of all county residents are obese and another one-third are overweight. As Benzie County looks to attract year-round residents, it needs a variety of recreation amenities that appeal to all ages, which can enhance our region’s economic competitiveness. Benzie County’s master recreation plan notes that recreational facilities should accommodate the varying abilities and interests of residents at different stages of life. Providing barrier-free access is becoming an increasing priority, as are passive or low-impact recreation (such as walking on an indoor track or aqua aerobics) as our population ages. The best guarantee of a long and healthy life is connecting with other people. Social isolation has negative impacts on health comparable to high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, and/or smoking. Imagine the placemaking possibilities of a Benzie County gateway at its busiest intersection (at the county’s only stoplight!). We are proposing a collaborative effort to create a “LifePark at Benzie Corners” that includes repurposing an elementary school site targeted to be vacant in September 2023. This site features walkability to the villages of Beulah and Benzonia, a neighboring senior living facility in the works, and connection to existing athletic fields, tennis courts, a library/community hall and the Betsie Valley Trail. We are seeking support for the Design and Concept Pricing Phase (which includes property analysis, programming, concept design, pricing documents, and a project budget) as the next critical step and would welcome gifts of all types to support to launch this part of the project.