MADISON — A new, $16 million Madison Healthplex Performance Training Center is expected to open late this year or early in 2014, with a little something for everyone.
Amenities will include things you would find in an upscale fitness facility, and even in most college sports performance training complexes and medical office clinics, as well.
The facility is being designed to help people who need rehabilitation, including athletes, but it also will provide opportunities for sports and fitness activities for the entire family.
The 96,000-square-foot facility currently under construction is a joint project of Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center and Baptist Health Systems.
“A partnership like this between Baptist and Mississippi Sports Medicine will create a facility offering services unlike any other offered in this market,” said Baptist Health Systems president and CEO Mark Slyter.
About 20,000 of the 96,000 square feet will be for medical office clinics for the Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center and the Eye Group of Mississippi.
“This facility is unique to the state of Mississippi and supports our community outreach programs,” said Robert Lodes, administrator of Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center.
The rest of the space will be for exercise and sports activities including the Healthplex Performance Training Center with facilities similar to existing Baptist Healthplex in Clinton and Jackson.
Offerings will include a HydroRX therapy pool that includes an underwater camera to monitor exercise of athletes or other persons using the pool, which is primarily designed for rehabilitation purposes.
From a construction standpoint, the project is progressing well, said David Carpenter, who is director of the two existing Baptist Healthplex facilities and is going to be director of the Madison Healthplex Performance Training Center.
Carpenter said workers are beginning some inside detail work.
“A portion of our parking has been paved,” he said. “We are continuing to do work on the outdoor and indoor turf field.”
Carpenter said the beauty of indoor and outdoor facilities is being able to utilize both depending on the weather.
Carpenter said the fitness facility will have everything those seeking a healthier lifestyle could ask for, including cardio equipment such as treadmills, bikes, stair steppers, rowers, elliptical trainees and adaptive motion trainers.
Another component is an area for after-hours fitness — a big trend especially helpful for people who do shift work.
A wellness type clinic will be integrated into The Madison Healthplex Performance Training Center. The center will be staffed by with a nurse practitioner offering help with preventive medicine, nutritional advice including help with weight loss, and developing an exercise program.
Group exercise classes will include Zumba dance, yoga, body sculpt and boot camp-type classes. There will be group water exercise classes.
A soft opening is planned in December to coincide with the Christmas on Ice skating rink that Baptist is staging for the second year. The grand opening is planned in January.
