Culpeper Wellness Foundation is moving forward with construction of a 17,759 square foot recreation center and renovation of nearly 10,000 square feet of existing space at the Foundation’s facility on Crossroad Parkway purchased in fall of 2020. The renovated space will be the new home of Culpeper Sport & Fitness, operated by the Foundation. Dex Sanders of Sanders Architecture PC in Culpeper County is developing conceptual plans for both the recreation center and fitness center.
Foundation president Shari Landry said, “The Foundation board unanimously supported a multimillion-dollar investment in this project with a focus on creating healthy fitness and recreation opportunities for children and families. We plan to have the new Culpeper Sport & Fitness facility open by September 1 and are aiming to have the recreation center open in early 2022.”
Landry further noted that the Foundation will need to supplement the board’s commitment of funds with support from the community. She said, “This is a huge project and we need ‘all hands on deck’ to get the doors open and the fun started. We are hopeful that many of the region’s generous individuals and businesses will help us build and outfit this recreation center that will be a hub of youth and family activity for generations to come.”
Foundation board chair Debbie Bennett added, “On behalf of the entire board of directors I’d like to express our enthusiasm for the upcoming completion of our new recreation center. Our mission is to improve health and promote wellness in Culpeper, Madison and Orange counties and this facility definitely aligns with that mission. Recreation space is very limited in our area and is much needed. Our vision is to have this space available for activities of all kinds with programs that are affordable for anyone who wants to participate.”
According to Landry, as a first step in developing that vision, committees have been formed to facilitate Foundation and community collaboration on site and building construction and interior planning. The site and building construction committee includes Ed Dalrymple, president of Cedar Mountain Stone; Brian Wortman, president of Wortman Mechanical; Alex Cannon, vice president of Cannon Properties; and Foundation board members Ed Scott and Charlie Barrell. The building interior planning committee includes Foundation board members Kelsey Carlson Settle, Tripp Butler and Gillette Harris; Doug Robson, facility services director for Culpeper County Public Schools; Andrew Hardy, Culpeper County Parks and Recreation director and Tim Moubray, Orange County Parks and Recreation director.
“We are very grateful to these individuals for their willingness to be a part of this project. Each of them brings much to the table in terms of commitment to the community, expertise and enthusiasm for developing a facility that our community can enjoy and be proud of,” noted Landry.
