It has been a year since the Twin Lakes Wellness Center opened for business, and 12 months later, the new facility is going strong.

A one-year anniversary celebration of the center’s opening was held last Friday, March 16 with an open house, which Pastor Bobby Grant, who led the charge to bring the Wellness Center to Clinton County, said was a “tremendous success.” He said he was thankful for the way the director (Pam Ostertag) had planned the event.

Hundreds of visitors, some members and some newcomers, attended the celebration throughout the day on Friday, from early in the morning until early in the evening. Prizes were given away on an hourly basis, refreshments were served and those who were not members or visiting for the first time got a chance to check out the facility and what it has to offer.

“There was a steady flow all day,” said Grant, and the pool was open all day.

There was also a suggestion box set up for people to make comments and Grant said it was almost unanimous that the center was doing an excellent job. “The only handful of complaints we had,” he continued, “was that the water in the pool was too cool.”

Grant gave an answer as to why that was, noting that the cost of heating the pool (using propane) was extremely expensive and they use about 110 gallons per day. That is the reason the pool is keep two to three degrees lower than average.

Recently, the Wellness Center welcomed its one thousandth member. However, that number has now exceeded 1,100 total members, which is close to double the numbers of just six months ago.

The wellness facility offers several different fitness programs for people of all ages, including swim classes for children and adults. And, Grant said there were more programs and activities in the works to be offered.

Along with the early first year success, there is still around $294,000 in grant funds that can be used on the building and the Wellness Center board will continue to meet with the Lake Cumberland Area Development District and county officials in deciding how that money is put to use.

Grant said initially, the board had considered some “outside” facilities but noted that was unusually expensive and they are now considering doing more improvements or additions to the inside of the building. One such upgrade he felt would be beneficial would be a “child’s watch area,” which could possibly be attached to the existing building.

Although the deadline for use of the funds is this July, Grant added that the grant funds were specifically earmarked for the Wellness Center facility and doubted if it would be lost. He also said that regulations that went along with the grant had caused some unforeseen delays in using the remaining funds.

Grant commended the judge/executive and mayor, as well as city and county governments for their support and cooperation with the Wellness Center project.

He also commended Center Director Ostertag and the entire staff at the Wellness Center, saying they were an excellent staff who worked really, really hard.

“We are pleased at this point…in fact, pleasantly surprised,” at the success the facility has had in just this short of time period. He noted of the total number of members came not only from Clinton County, but Cumberland and Wayne counties in Kentucky and Pickett County, Tennessee.

The following are a list of drawing winners from last Friday’s first anniversary celebration open house:

* Grand Prize: Benny Amonett, who won a one-year free membership, a t-shirt and gift card.

* One-month free membership winners: Cheryl Scroggins, Jay Garner, Delores Marcum, Carolyn Claborn, Bobby Dalton, Sherry Poore.

* T-shirt winners: April Beaty, Dillion Stonecipher, Phillip Parrigin, Brenda Tallent, Dee Beaty.

* Gift card winners: Ken Williams, Kimberly Sewell, Tommy Hensley, Sue Steinman, Logan Wells.

The following is membership rates for the Twin Lakes Wellness Center:

Family: Monthly, $45; annual, $540.

Married couple: Monthly, $36, annual, $432.

Adult: 18 to 61 years of age, monthly, $27, annual, $324.

Adult plus dependent: Monthly, $34, annual, $408.

Senior Adult: 62 and over, monthly, $24, annual $288.

Senior Adult plus dependent: Monthly, $32, annual, $384.

Senior/Married couple: Monthly, $33, annual, $396.

* Senior Married plus dependent: Monthly, $42, annual, $504.

* Teens: Monthly, $20, annual $240.

For more information about the Twin Lakes Family Wellness Center and the programs and activities it has to offer, call (606) 387-9622.