Donor's generosity to boost wellness

A $3.5 million wellness pavilion is being developed for Swiss Village Retirement Community in Berne.

Residents of Swiss Village Retirement Community in Berne soon will have more room to stretch their legs and test their wind in a planned multimillion-dollar wellness pavilion.

The 21,202-square-foot pavilion will likely open next winter and will provide not only retirement community residents with a place to work out but "for a fee" the general public as well. Construction is expected to start this spring.

Though bidding hasn't begun, the project is expected to cost about $3.5 million from construction to landscaping to equipment and furnishings, said Daryl Martin, executive director of Swiss Village. He hopes to see it completed by December.

Over the past several years, Swiss Village has developed a wellness program for its residents, but because of space limitations it couldn't extend memberships to people outside the retirement community. The Arthur and Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion named after avid supporters of the community who died in an car crash in August will expand that program to the community at large, officials said.

The pavilion will have an aquatic center, strength-building fitness area, floor exercise space, a game room and lounge.

Memberships for those living outside the retirement community will cost $440 a year for an individual add $275 for a spouse or $825 annually for a family, Martin said.

In addition to wellness programs, the pavilion is expected to be able to accommodate receptions and parties.

None of it would have been possible without ample support for the project, Martin said.

Many others have partnered with us to raise the money required to build this wellness center, but Art and Gloria provided the lead gift and motivation to see this project happen, he said in a statement. The southern part of Adams County is fortunate to have a facility like this and we will always be indebted to the Muselmans for making it possible.�