Akron General Health System’s newest center devoted to keeping patients healthy and out of the hospital is opening next week in Green.
The new 42,000-square-foot LifeStyles medically supervised fitness center already has about 1,300 members, even before its doors officially open at 5:30 a.m. Monday.
“We had identified early on this market as a place Akron General needed a presence,” said Doug Ribley, vice president of health and wellness services for Akron General Health System. “We knew this area was growing and we needed to bring our services.”
The facility is the third Akron General Health & Wellness Center, joining locations in Bath Township and Stow.
The first phase of the 100,000-square-foot Green facility — a full-service satellite emergency department and radiology services — opened in March.
Rival Summa Health System is opening its own satellite emergency department on Monday about a mile away.
“This is our outpatient delivery model that Akron General has created,” Ribley said. “There’s a full continuum of care.”
The Green LifeStyles closely mirrors Akron General’s fitness center in Stow, said Stephen Abdenour, the health system’s vice president of operations.
The facilities each offer more than 200 machines, an indoor track, three pools and a whirlpool, spaces for group exercise classes, saunas, steam rooms and a gymnasium, as well as workout and play areas for children.
The available services also include rehabilitation and a sports performance center, which are open to nonmembers.
In addition, the Green facility has a conference center that can accommodate as many as 180 people.
Akron General is focusing on health and wellness as a key business strategy.
Last year, the health system joined with Akron-based Signet Development Ltd. to create a for-profit venture called Integrated Wellness Partners LLC.
The partnership plans to help hospitals, universities, cities and other customers nationwide develop their own versions of Akron General’s Health & Wellness centers.
Ribley said the health system expects the LifeStyles facility in Green to attract about 4,000 members — a number that’s similar to the membership total in Stow. The LifeStyles in Bath Township has about 9,100 members.
The regular enrollment fee is $275 for individuals, $325 for couples and $350 for families. Monthly dues are $53 for individuals, $82 per couple and $107 per family.
Enrollment includes a fitness assessment and exercise prescription plan.
The newest Akron General Health & Wellness Center is located on the east side of Massillon Road in Green at the intersection of Town Park Boulevard.
The $32 million facility was developed and financed by Rendina Cos., a Florida firm that specializes in medical real estate, professional office and mixed-use development.
The health system plans to break ground this month on a three-story medical office building, which will be attached to the health and wellness center, Abdenour said.
When the entire project is complete, the Green location will have about 240 employees, he said.
Akron General is hosting a free open house at the new Health & Wellness Center in Green from 9 a.m. to noon July 21.
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.
