Updates regarding the future Dexter Community Center and Senior Center were announced on April 26th. One of the big news is that Dexter Community Schools has officially purchased the Wellness Center.
DCS Superintendent Chris Timmis updated the community through regular messages and said: We continue our operating agreements with the five Healthy Towns and the facilities will continue to operate very similar to their current operations. ”
DCS used funds provided as part of $8.5 million in state spending in 2023.
“All of this is made possible as a result of the state’s $8.5 million disbursement to Dexter Community Schools for the creation of a senior center and community center,” Timmis said. These great resources come from legislative budgets controlled by elected officials, including Representative Debbie Dingell, Senator Sue Sink, Representative Jennifer Conlin, and Representative Carrie Reingan, as well as DCS, the Dexter Senior Center , continues to be available to the community thanks to our partnership with 5 Healthy. Towns, AR Brower, and the City of Dexter. ”
Another update states, “Until construction of the new Dexter Senior Center on Baker Road is complete, the Dexter Senior Center will temporarily relocate to the former physical therapy space at the Dexter Wellness Center.” Construction on the Dexter Senior Center should begin by summer. ”
5 Healthy Towns and DCS issued a press release regarding this sale and purchase.
said:
After months of discussions, 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, Dexter Community Schools, and Dexter Senior Center have announced a joint agreement that will keep 5 Healthy Towns and its health and fitness management company, Power Wellness, as operating partners through March 31, 2025. We have agreed to a management contract. After that date, Dexter Community Schools will be the direct operator of the facility.
5 Healthy Towns CEO Steve Petty said: “This is a great accomplishment for our community that will allow the Dexter Wellness Center to continue serving our members until Dexter Community Schools is ready to assume day-to-day management of the facility. Five Healthy Towns will be available in early 2023 When we made the decision to put this facility up for sale, we could only hope that Dexter Community Schools would continue to develop the center as a place of wellness and social connection. Their desire to look after them touches us and we are happy to support them in their efforts.”
“We are thrilled to be working with Dexter Community Schools,” said Dr. Christopher Timmis, Superintendent of Dexter Community Schools. “The Dexter Wellness Center is a great asset to the Dexter community and students. We are fortunate to have a member of Congress who supports our community efforts and provides funding to make the facility available to the community. We had a great partnership with Healthy Towns, Dexter Senior Center, and AR Brouwer that made the entire project possible within our funds.”
As part of the Dexter Wellness Center purchase agreement, Dexter Senior Center will take up temporary residence within the Wellness Center, occupying space previously leased to ATI Physical Therapy until the new senior center is constructed. A collaboration between DCS, AR Brouwer and Dexter Senior Center, construction on the new 9,000+ square foot Dexter Senior Center is expected to begin by summer. During the transition phase, senior center activities will take place in the former ATI space and in the center’s conference room for occasional classes and workshops.
Ownership of the center will be transferred to Dexter Community Schools, but the operating agreement between the Dexter School District and 5 Healthy Towns will maintain the existing management model until at least March 31, 2025. There will be no changes to our membership or operating policies or practices during this period. Time and Dexter Wellness Center members continue to enjoy the mutual benefits of access to the Foundation’s other centers in Chelsea and Stockbridge.
“This has been a long and uncertain process at times, but the strength of our business in Dexter and our partners’ willingness to work openly with each other has allowed us to get to this point,” Petty said. This is an exciting new chapter for all of us as we continue to enjoy a thriving Dexter wellness facility.”
For more information, contact Dexter Community Schools at 734-424-4100, email info@dexterschools.org or 5HF at 734-433-4599, email Matt@5healthytowns.org.
DCS has compiled frequently asked questions about this project on its website FAQ. The FAQ will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.
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