Governor Tours New Poplar Wellness Center

By Bill Vander Weele

Gov. Greg Gianforte was impressed when he took a tour of the new Thundering Buffalo Health and Wellness Center in Poplar on Thursday, April 21.

After a dedication ceremony on Wednesday, April 20, an open house took place at the facility on Friday, April 22. The $23 million facility opened for business on Saturday, April 23. “What a beautiful building,” Gianforte said of the complex.

The tour included a look at the lap pool for adults and splash pool for children. A sauna is also available. The gym, featuring six different baskets, should be a popular place and is capable of being transformed into tennis courts.

Above the gym is a stateof- the-art weight room along with a walking path.

The wellness center features a dental rooms, consultation areas and a salon. Room are assigned for both occupational and physical therapy as well as cardiac rehabilitation.

A snack bar will provide healthy food items. There will also be lessons regarding how to cook healthy meals.

“This is fantastic,” Gianforte said. “It’s very exciting.”

Kenny Smoker, director of the Health Promotion Disease Prevention program, said fees for adults to use the facility will be only $2 daily, $20 monthly or $200 for a year.

Smoker anticipates the facility will have a total of 80 employees.

Medical, mental health and dental assessments will take place.

“We want to teach healthy changes,” Smoker said.

A goal is to reduce drug use, alcohol abuse and illegal prescription use.

“We say it all starts with prayer,” Smoker said. “With prayer and the inspiration of children, how can you go wrong?”