(Council Bluffs) A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday afternoon for the Iowa Western Community College’s $15.2 million, 92,000 square foot, Dr John W. and Jean Marshall Wellness Center.
Iowa Western Community College President Dr Dan Kinney says he’s excited about the opportunities the facility is going to provide for the students. Dr Kinney says the story behind this facility began several years ago when the college started to experience a significant increase in the student population that had anxiety and depression issues.
Dr Kinney says they began to do some research and what they found was physical activity helped with anxiety and depression.
Dr John W. Marshall and his wife Jean donated $2 million towards the facility. Dr John W. Marshall served as the Chief of Staff at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. He also owned the Bluffs Family Health Care before he retired. Jean Marshall, a former elementary teacher, worked with the VIP Board and Adult Learning Center.
Dr Marshall says they want to be a cut above when it comes to the Community College and to have a facility such as this puts them there.
The new facility is equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, stair climbers, rowers, functional trainers and cable-assisted weights. The turfed indoor practice field also offers a variety of intramural sports such as flag football, softball, soccer, and Frisbee, to name a few. The hard court area will provide for the intramural sports as well including; volleyball, badminton, pickleball, and basketball. In addition to that, and area for pickup games. There is also an aerobic space for large-group classes for employees and students, along with fitness check-out opportunities.
