Urbana Park District and OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center have signed a five-year, $150,000 agreement to support health and wellness in the community. OSF Heart of Mary will grant the Park District $30,000 for the next five years. That gift will pay for memberships to the Park District Health & Wellness Center.
“This is an exciting opportunity for OSF Heart of Mary and Urbana Park District to give access to more people than ever to get and stay healthy,” said Corky Emberson, Superintendent of Recreation. He added, “This gift will erase or limit the financial barrier and allow people to become members of the Health & Wellness Center and give them access to a healthy lifestyle.”
The Urbana Park District is committed to the health and wellness of everyone in Urbana and the surrounding community. One of the missions is to create spaces that provide for the health and wellness of our residents. For years, the Park District had a vision to build and operate a health and wellness center on land the district owns. Urbana Park District’s mission is to provide equal access for all. With that in mind, Park District leaders determined to build a Health & Wellness Center on the east side of the city.
The Park District broke ground on the Health & Wellness Center in May of 2023. Private donations, Champaign County and City of Urbana ARPA grants, $3.2 million in Park District property tax reserve funds, and the Urbana Parks Foundation provided the revenue for the $13.8 million project.
“The OSF mission of serving with the greatest care and love doesn’t end when we leave the hospital,” said J.T. Barnhart, OSF Heart of Mary president. “Community collaborations like this are vital to ensuring healthy neighborhoods. We’re proud to contribute to the Park District’s plans to give more people access to health and wellness resources.”
Beginning November 25, Urbana Park District will begin selling Health and Wellness Center memberships. There are several different membership price plans, ranging from individual plans, family plans, and senior plans.
Call (217) 255-8601 for more membership information or visit the Health & Wellness Center.
The Health & Wellness Center is located at 2002 E. Washington Street (between the Brookens Center and Dr. Preston L. Williams Elementary School).
The Health and Wellness Center will be open to the public in early 2025.
