Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center celebrating 25 years
A wall plaque near the main entrance to the facility bearing his name underscores the love and appreciation Wilfred R. Cameron had for the greater Washington region.
The plaque, featuring a professional drawing of him, reads: “It is my hope that the Wellness Center of the Washington Hospital will enhance the quality of life for the entire community.” He expressed that desire in July 1999.
The man known casually as Pete, president of Cameron Coca-Cola from 1968 until its sale in 1999, devoted a lot of thought – and $5 million – to the project. He, however, did not live to see construction of the center.
His dream materialized, though, and continues to enhance life locally.
The Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center will celebrate its 25th anniversary with five days of events (Monday through Friday). The center, built on the site of a shuttered drive-in off Route 19 in South Strabane, opened for business on Oct. 1, 2000 – making Wednesday the true anniversary date.
Debbie Roytas, executive director of the center, said more than 1,000 members immediately signed up at a nearby trailer 25 years ago. She added that 58 of these charter members are still active. Area residents at the time obviously had a zeal for this center similar to what Pete Cameron expressed.
Membership, to be sure, has grown since. It is now at 4,871.
Among its offerings, the center has fitness, nutrition, numerous group exercise classes, yoga, swimming, family and kids programs. It also includes a lap pool, therapy pool, hot tub, spa, dry sauna, pickleball, indoor track, basketball court and an outdoor labyrinth and walking trail for walking meditation. Oh, and child care.
Those are not all-inclusive lists.
Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center has expanded from its original 70,000-square-foot structure. Wellness, of course, is the operative word here.
Roytas, a North Strabane resident recovering from foot surgery, also discussed a highly publicized transformation that occurred 15 months ago: UPMC purchasing and acquiring Washington Health System, including the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center.
The Cameron family is still involved in the endeavor Pete launched more than two decades ago. His widow, Nan, 99, has made three donations to the center following her husband’s passing. A fourth is imminent.
Roytas said that at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nan Cameron “will announce a new donation.” The amount has not been revealed.
“Nan has continued to be generous in helping with renovations, the climbing wall and equipment,” Roytas said.
Nan also continues to be a boundless ball of energy. She is 99 years old, speaks like a scholar and rarely sits idle. “I feel very good all of the time,” she said during a telephone interview Tuesday.
“I don’t do quite as much as I used to do, but I mow four to six acres a week,” Nan said, referring to the family’s 40-acre farm in South Strabane, where two retired horses also reside. Cameron family members raced standardbreds for many years.
“She’s great at mowing,” said Nan’s daughter, Wendy Cameron, who resides on a property abutting the farm and assists her mother when needed.
Nan occasionally appears at the center to use a rowing machine and a treadmill.
She is in close contact with her clan – with a caveat: “I try not to impose on my family at all,” she said firmly.
Nan Cameron is gratified by the continued development and success experienced at the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, which she considers to be a proud legacy of her husband. “The wellness center is very successful in doing what Pete wanted it to do. A large thank you to the community.”
Events scheduled for next week at the wellness center are: Monday – complimentary fruits and refreshments and take a class with a team member; Tuesday – surprise giveaways; Wednesday – 25-year celebration in the lobby at 12:30, with toast and healthy hors d’oeuvres; bring a friend for free; free chair massage and polish changes; Thursday – pickleball tournament 9 to 10 a.m., dodgeball tournament 1 to 2 p.m.; Friday – 25% off all retail.