Residents of the upper end of Pocahontas County gathered last Wednesday evening at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory to talk about a possibility of a Wellness Center in Green Bank.

Physicianﾒs Assistant Rachel Taylor explained her proposal for the center and asked those in attendance for suggestions.

ﾓI donﾒt have any experience in fitness centers or anything like that or in grant writing, I just thought this would be a great asset for our community to have,ﾔ Taylor said. ﾓThe proposal is for a wellness/education facility to be built in the Green Bank/Northern Pocahontas area. This facility could be used as a public fitness center for individual and group exercise classes, healthcare education classes and as a potential site for physical therapy services to better serve the upper end of our county.ﾔ

The proposal also includes a handicapped accessible indoor lap pool.

At this point, Taylor has approached county commissioner David Fleming with a proposal to use county land in Green Bank, as well as discussed a partnership with the Elkins-Randolph County Family YMCA with Executive Director Sid Gillespie. No plans have been made.

Taylor has also received suggestions for other sites including the annex buildings at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School and NRAO land.

As with most new projects, money to fund it is a large issue. Several audience members agreed that if the center charged members a monthly fee, it would be difficult for some to fit that cost into their budget.

Taylor said she has researched some wellness related grants and asked for help from someone with more experience in grant writing.

Surveys were distributed to the crowd and will be available at local festivals this summer.