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Al Putz, Richard Bahorich, Kelly Lyons, Chris Kazen, Mark Barglof and Javier Espinosa were part of the wellness center dedication in the video above.
Good Samaritan Society – Kissimmee Village has a new wellness center that’s proving to be a popular place for residents.
Thanks to generous donations from family, friends and residents, it has space for a majority of the physical wellness classes held on campus.
“Overall, residents love the space,” says Chris Kazen, wellness manager at Kissimmee Village.
There are about a dozen different weekly physical wellness classes. They include stretching, balance, tai chi and dance. And attendance keeps growing.
The idea for a wellness center started when Dave Mason heard how well his mom, Margie Mason, was doing because of the wellness classes she was taking. He wanted to donate to help the campus build a new wellness space.
In the meantime, plans were in progress to renovate the game room at Kissimmee Village.
When Kelly Lyons, donor engagement director at Kissimmee Village, heard about Dave’s idea, she suggested changing the game room into a wellness center. And others agreed it was a good idea.
The project came together nicely, as Richard Bahoric, director of environmental services at Kissimmee Village, drew the design.
Donations gave the project the momentum it needed. In addition to Dave Mason, a giving initiative at Kissimmee Village and residents coming together helped the wellness center become reality.
Renovations started in January and turned the aging game room into a vibrant new space. The wellness center is located adjacent to the newly renovated outdoor pool.
“Residents are blown away,” says Kelly. “The contractor did an amazing, quick job.”
Chris Kazen says the new wellness center complements the wellness lifestyle that is promoted on campus.
Chris Kazen talks about the wellness center in the video above.
In addition to the physical wellness classes, different daily events happening at Kissimmee Village help improve residents’ social wellness.
Monthly lunch and learns include talks by two Kissimmee Village dietitians and a healthy lunch prepared by the executive chef.
The campus also has intellectual classes, such as a brain fitness class. Vocational wellness is promoted through volunteer opportunities, and spiritual wellness is fostered through the campus church, various Bible studies and more.
The wellness center also has equipment and a trainer hour each day to teach residents how to use the machines.
An indoor pool on campus offers five different classes a week, led by a certified instructor.
For those who enjoy walking, there are plans to make walking trails that will be marked for distance, with crosswalks for safety.
The campus also offers tennis, pickleball, shuffleboard and a nine-hole golf course with newly redone greens.