BRANCHVILLE, S.C. – Residents of the Branchville community have a chance to get fit.

The grand opening of Branchville’s new HealthPlex was held Thursday afternoon with local and county dignitaries participating in the ceremony.

The new wellness and fitness center, located in Branchville’s old community center, was organized through the combined efforts of the Regional Medical Center and the Town of Branchville.

Betty Henderson, a member of the RMC Board of Trustees, was a moving force in getting the program established.

RMC officials are excited to be involved in the effort to keep the people of Branchville healthy, Henderson said.

“At RMC, we want to keep you healthy,” she said. “We have joined this venture for a happier, healthier Branchville, and I can certainly say that we’re looking forward to seeing it used.”

Branchville’s Dr. William O’Quinn urged the public to take advantage of the new facilities.

“It’s just what the doctor ordered, you know,” O’Quinn said.

He said residents don’t have an excuse now not to exercise since HealthPlex is within walking distance of many.

The area has a high incidence of diabetes, kidney disease, strokes, heart disease, obesity and arthritis, but all of these illnesses can be partially prevented and helped by proper exercise and diet, O’Quinn noted.

Mayor Pro Tem Glenn Miller thanked the Branchville Town Council and RMC officials for establishing the new HealthPlex and urged residents to use it.

“I’m hoping in the near future that this place will be so crowded until we’ll have to ask Orangeburg to set up a second one,” Miller said.

The Lockett Elementary School Honors Chorus, directed by Tammy Jones, closed the ceremony with several songs.

The Branchville HealthPlex is open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. HealthPlex offers exercise physiologists to help each member develop a personalized fitness program. Programs designed for cardiovascular fitness and weight training are available. Wellness education in the areas of weight and stress management is also offered.

A single membership with HealthPlex is $32 a month, or $44 for a family, which allows for three people. Additional members cost $15 each.

T&D Correspondent Dale Linder-Altman can be reached by e-mail at jerryanddale@lowcountry.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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