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The University of South Carolina�s Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center opened to USC students in March, 2003, giving them access to a world-class facility dedicated to healthy lifestyles and physical fitness. Located at the corner of Assembly and Blossom streets, the 192,000-square-foot center is named in honor of former U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, a longtime fitness advocate who retired from the Senate in January at the age of 100. "Senator Thurmond is widely known in South Carolina and beyond for his commitment to physical fitness," said Dr. Dennis Pruitt, USC�s vice president for student affairs. "It is fitting that this building bear his name as a legacy for overall health and fitness. The center symbolizes a holistic approach to total health and wellness, and we believe it demonstrates the life, energy and excitement of being physically fit and active." Pruitt said the wellness center is one of the most comprehensive in the United States and will enhance student life and convey the message that one doesn�t have to engage in competitive sports to be physically fit, and that the philosophy behind the center, which has been under construction for more than two years, is to develop the complete individual, physically and mentally.
In addition to a 52-foot climbing wall, the center features volleyball, basketball, racquetball and squash courts; an auxiliary gym for floor hockey, soccer and social functions; indoor and outdoor lap and multi-purpose pools; whirlpools and saunas; a wet classroom for water-program instruction; and an indoor track on the third floor, giving runners and walkers a lofty view of campus and downtown. A cardiovascular deck features treadmills, rowers, steppers and stationary bicycles and overlooks a 19,000-square-foot strength and conditioning area. The center also will house a wellness office that offers a range of health programs and information, an outdoor adventure center, a pro shop, a caf�, meeting rooms and outdoor green spaces, sundecks, porches and wireless Internet access. Pruitt says safety also was a key consideration in building the center, which is located at one of the busiest intersections in the state, and is the cornerstone of USC�s West Campus development. As a result, the university installed two lighted pedestrian bridges, one spanning Blossom Street and another over Assembly Street, last June to provide easy and safe access to the building. Admission is controlled by a sophisticated security system that relies on students� palm measurements. Use of the center will be free for students. Annual memberships are available for faculty and staff on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on the center, visit the Web site or call 803-777-4782. (photographs provided by USC)
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The wellness center�s exterior is reminiscent of the same classical architectural style of USC�s historic Horseshoe, yet the interior incorporates many contemporary design elements. Skylights and large windows offer a sense of being outdoors.