A look back at construction of PATH Recreation & Fitness Center
PATH Recreation & Fitness Center opened to the public in 2022; we are thrilled to serve the community’s recreation and fitness needs! The Center comprises 27,000 square feet on Crossroad Parkway in Culpeper near the DMV. The center includes a fitness area of nearly 10,000 square feet, and recreation area with multisport courts and activity room. Read on if you’d like to check out the progression from start to finish!
This floorplan depicts the layout of the full center on Crossroad Parkway: multiuse courts on the left; fitness center in the center; and the Culpeper Wellness Foundation offices on the right. PATH Recreation & Fitness Center and its sister facility Powell Wellness Center are managed by the Culpeper Wellness Foundation.
The fitness space, which is located on one level, comprises a cardio area, functional fitness and training area, two group exercise classrooms (plus an option for a third room through a retractable wall), Kids’ Corner child care and restroom/locker room area.
Early in the renovation that began in 2021, a massive amount of drywalling took place and really changed the look of the interior. The color palette combines clean and serene grays with pops of color. Feel the energy from the vibrant green on the back wall of the main group exercise room!
In May, renovations to the second activity area focused on installing a wall to the right of the doorway to establish dedicated space, and constructing a back wall that would provide separation from a conference room on the other side, plus space for equipment storage accessible to the fitness room. Ceramic tile was removed from the floor and replaced by carpet, particularly important for comfort in the activity room that hosts yoga classes.
Below, a look at the same room in August! The back wall incorporates space for equipment storage. Carpeting has been installed and painting has been finished. The color scheme is neutral and serene, with an eye to possible use of the room as a mind-body studio. Revitalize, relax, restore!
Functional fitness and training programs have their own generously sized space. The photo below shows the end of the sled track and the wall ball area. Sled training provides a full-body workout through push, pull or drag movements that increase speed and strength … and let’s not forget calorie burn! With the sled, posture and form is very important for optimal results and injury prevention. If you haven’t used the sled before, please check in with one of our personal trainers before use.
The many variations of wall ball throws can build strength and get your heart pumping. Combine throws with other exercises like squats or sit ups to power up the overall effects.
Mirror, mirror on the wall! Mirrors went up in early September! The photo below shows the front corner of the cardio floor. Lots of great light from the bank of windows over the mirrors on this front wall. Plenty of mirrors also in the group exercise and functional fitness rooms.
During October, the construction team has focused on the punch list of additional items such as locker and overhead fan installation, installation of turf for the sled track, finishing work on the private locker rooms, lighting, construction of the welcome desk and more. Some of these projects are shown in the photos below.
Equipment began arriving in December 2021! New Life Fitness strength machines, treadmills, ellipticals and rowers are top quality and easy to get up to speed on. The machines also have a QR code that allows users to access clear instructions.
Many fun toys and activities made an appearance as Kids’ Corner took shape! Scooters, a farmers market stand, games, balance toys and lots more, all to support active and creative play!
In January 2022, a mural designed by Tony Rozwadowski of K Art & Design and printed and installed by XPress Copy & Graphics was installed in the hallway to Kids’ Corner and one of the activity rooms. Such a fun representation of people of all ages coming to visit the center!
More February happenings: Installation commenced on the steel structure framing the multisport court gymnasium. The building visible on the right houses the recreation center’s entry and lobby and an activity room.
Below, a look at the recreation center exterior in late February. Gymnasium framing was ongoing (big job!), and the entry was taking shape on the right. This is now the main entrance to the recreation area where visitors access the multisport courts, activity room and multisport/game simulator room.
In March 2022 the fitness area opened with the functional fitness workout space, group exercise classroom, cardiovascular workout and strength floor. What a delight to welcome members new and old, and community groups such as our homeschool physical education gang to the new space!
A look at the cardio and strength floor, below.
Below, youth in the Sports Performance session in our functional fitness area. Inspirational sayings from the blackboard at our old place were transformed into a wall ribbon, thanks to K Art & Design and XPress Copy & Graphics of Culpeper!
April 2022: As the recreation center construction continued, a transformation on the exterior occurred from the middle to the end of the month! Inside, the newly poured floor in the gymnasium required curing time prior to applying the top coating. Work continued in the lobby, activity room, multisport simulator room, and restrooms in the building on the right.
With the subfloor poured in the multisport court area, finish work continued in the gymnasium until the time came to apply the final flooring. The four basketball hoops were installed. The drop down divider between the courts was installed and in the photo below is visible suspended from the ceiling to the right of the basket.
Interior walls were painted in the gymnasium and drywalling completed the look in the lobby, restrooms, storage room, simulator room and activity room.
June: Photos below highlight the recreation center exterior, the activity room in the recreation area, and the gymnasium with one of the four basketball hoops visible and one of the batting cage enclosures to the right. There is another activity room in the adjacent building; both rooms are available for community use. The lobby and activity room flooring were stained and the parking lot paved. There were so many moving pieces, such as scoreboards and the gymnasium flooring – just imagine the punch list on this big project!
July 2022: grand opening!
Check out the press release for this project: Culpeper Wellness Foundation moves forward with new building for CSF and recreation center