Robbinsville – The Graham County Health Board is making a site search for a planned fitness center a priority.
“The sooner that we can nail down property, the faster the task force for the fitness center can try to get these grants to build this building,” said Graham County Public Health Director Donna Stephens, at the board’s Nov. 13 meeting.
Over $5,600 was raised by fundraisers for the fitness center. Several foundations have reached out about providing grants to build the fitness center, including the Cannon Foundation, the WNC Bridge Foundation and Dogwood Trust.
Stephens thinks the grants should be easy to obtain.
The task force assigned to bringing the project to fruition is still having difficulties with getting a property where the fitness center can be built. Foundations want to provide grants to construct the building – but not buy land.
Stephens mentioned a new site for the fitness center, which would be located behind the Graham County Senior Center off West Fort Hill Road, on county-owned property that has also been discussed as a potential site for the planned Graham County Justice Center.
Interim county manager Kim Crisp suggested that the senior center could have a connected sidewalk to the fitness center. It is a viable option for seniors that want to use the fitness center to exercise and stay healthy.
Another location option mentioned during the Oct. 17 board of commissioners meeting was nine acres of property inside the Robbinsville city limits for $280,000. Stephens didn’t want to give the location.
The health department also had a meeting with Golden Leaf Foundation to discuss the fitness center and health issues.
Previously, the fitness center was going to be the former Green’s Foodway on Tallulah Road, which sits next to Huckleberry Bakery. Stephens said the lot was too expensive, as it boasted a price tag of $850,000.