WILBURTON, Oklahoma – Eastern Oklahoma State College now has a plan for a new full-service health and wellness center in Wilburton that a large majority of surveyed students, staff and area residents would welcome.

The plan calls for a new 19,000-square-foot building on the Wilburton campus that offers fitness equipment, group exercise spaces, an indoor walking track, locker rooms, private treatment rooms and a multi-purpose area. It is expected to become a hub for fitness and health programs, including nutrition counseling, wellness workshops and the ability to expand for clinical services.

A $110,000 grant from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust funded a year-long study into the project. Power Wellness and Michael Riley Architecture conducted the study, and their findings indicate significant community interest and a need for such a facility, marking a positive step toward improving health resources for students, employees and local residents.

“Access to facilities and services that improve the health of people in the Wilburton area is essential,” said EOSC President Dr. Janet Wansick. “We are deeply grateful to TSET for their support in developing this plan, which was shaped by expert consultants and guided by the input of our community partners and the campus community.”

The feasibility study, completed in two phases, incorporated extensive feedback from students, employees, and community members through surveys, interviews and site visits. The original plan to renovate Miller Hall, a former dormitory, was deemed unfeasible due to architectural limitations.

“Working with the professional leadership team at Eastern was a collaborative experience. We built an effective partnership that identified support for a comprehensive, self-sustaining fitness and wellness center to support the needs of students, staff and Wilburton community members. The project will serve as a vital resource for campus and community wellbeing for years to come.” said Ken Gorman, Founder and CEO at Power Wellness.

The study revealed strong interest in a health and wellness center, with 88 percent of students, 70 percent of employees and 63 percent of community members expressing enthusiasm for such a facility.

“Projects like this health and wellness center are critical to ensuring that Oklahomans have access to the resources they need to live active, healthy lives,” said Jessica Davis, TSET’s director of Engagement and Impact.  “This project is in line with TSET's strategic plan to reduce health disparities and encourage wellness throughout our state. By supporting initiatives like these, we help empower communities to take charge of their health and well-being, ultimately fostering a culture of wellness across Oklahoma.”

The health and wellness center aligns with EOSC’s mission to “cultivate growth, create futures, and change lives” by addressing health disparities in southeastern Oklahoma, a region with limited access to comprehensive wellness facilities.

The findings provide a roadmap for future development, including detailed plans for construction, operations and potential partnerships. EOSC is actively pursuing funding in collaboration with partners to enhance healthcare services for residents of southeastern Oklahoma.