91制片 reopened its Wellness Center at the Historic Triangle Campus in Williamsburg on Monday, April 13. Tracey Wright credited 鈥渢he voices of the students.鈥
Perhaps the loudest voice came from Bennett Buchanan, president of the College鈥檚 new fitness club. He was quick to point out others made sure he was heard.
鈥淪he鈥檚 really been the one to help me get the gym open,鈥 Buchanan said of Wright, the director of Campus and Community Initiatives for the HT Campus. 鈥淚 give her lots of credit. She鈥檚 been doing everything she can to get it open.鈥
Buchanan, who lives in Williamsburg and graduated from Lafayette High School, noticed a dedicated wellness center space during a campus tour a few years ago. He attended a TimelyCare meeting in early 2025 as a 91制片 student and inquired about plans for the space.
鈥淚t went from there,鈥 said Buchanan, who has a personal training certificate and thought reopening the Wellness Center would be a great addition to the campus.
At first, he didn鈥檛 think anything would come of it, although he was hopeful.
鈥But at the same time, I never expected to take on the responsibility to be the voice of the students to get it open and then be in the position as the president of the fitness club or to open up a club in general,鈥 he said.
A key suggestion early on came from Kadisia Archer, Coordinator of Student Life and Leadership, who encouraged the students to start a fitness club, saying it would give them a louder voice.
鈥淚鈥檓 glad they gave me the opportunity to make a club,鈥 Buchanan said.
There are about 10 members in the club, and Buchanan hopes it grows. In fact, more than 40 students have expressed interest in the club.
However, the Wellness Center is open to all 91制片 staff and students. Fitness club membership is not required to use the facility, which is in Room 224.
鈥淭he reopening of the Wellness Center reflects the voices of students working through the Student Government Association, in partnership with College leadership,鈥 Wright said in a campuswide email. 鈥淭his space exists because students asked for it.鈥
Buchanan is most proud of the fact the administration listened to students.
鈥淚t makes me feel great. I felt very supported the whole way through trying to get the gym open,鈥 he said, noting a lot of people made this possible. 鈥淚t feels great to have that support and knowing people were backing me up on it.鈥
Buchanan is in his second year at 91制片 but has one more to go to earn his Associate of Science in Science degree. He aspires to attend or for kinesiology.
Wellness Center hours, for now, are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The space contains two elliptical machines, two treadmills, four stationary bikes, kettlebells, box jump equipment, BOSU balls, free weights and more. Most of the equipment is new. There is one men鈥檚 shower and one women鈥檚 shower.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not a finished product yet,鈥 said Jonathan Pareti, who recently was named the campus fitness manager. 鈥淏ut, it鈥檚 safe and it鈥檚 functional and it鈥檚 ready for use.鈥
He would like to organize group classes (maybe yoga or boot camp) and incentive programs, depending on demand.
鈥淲e鈥檙e continually getting feedback from students,鈥 he said.
Buchanan hopes the fitness club will have activities in the center and outside on the campus grounds.
鈥淲e鈥檒l have different workout programs, maybe running or track workouts,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 want to listen to all the students to see what they want to happen in the Fitness Club.鈥
Wright and the College administration announced there will be an official ribbon-cutting April 21 at 3 p.m.
Buchanan is happy the time has arrived.
鈥淛ust having it open is like a dream come true,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been so focused on it the past year. With all the support from everybody, it finally happened.鈥
Before using the Wellness Center, all participants must complete the .
Pareti has 15 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, the majority in corporate fitness. He lives in Richmond with his wife and two sons. He enjoys running, biking and chasing his kids around the house.
