County OKs contract for wellness center

The Hamilton County Commission has approved a $327,000 contract to renovate portions of the McDaniel Building for an employee wellness center.

But at their regular meeting Wednesday, commissioners had questions about the facility. Commissioner Richard Casavant, voted against it, though he later said he made a mistake.

Dr. Casavant said he initially thought, with the amount of money the county is spending to renovate the facility, it could contract with another gym for the same amount or less. He later determined his math was incorrect.

The commission awarded the contract for the wellness center to J&J Contractors of Chattanooga.

Afterward, Chairman Fred Skillern said he's concerned about some employees having better access to the facility than others because of its location on North Highland Park Avenue.

"It's not in a centralized area," he said.

Becky Barnes, who heads the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, has said the wellness center will include a gym with cardio and strength equipment as well as room for classes.

The center is expected to open by the end of the year, officials said. It would replace an older, outdated facility maintained by the county at the Mayfield Annex on Seventh Street.

The county also plans to open an employee pharmacy in the McDaniel Building.

Human Resources Director Rebecca Hunter said the pharmacy and wellness center are both aimed at saving taxpayers money by reducing health care costs.

After the meeting, Commissioner Bill Hullander said he felt comfortable approving the contract.

"I know a lot of companies have wellness centers and they tell me it helps work attendance," Mr. Hullander said.

In other business Wednesday, commissioners authorized a joint agreement with Chattanooga and PlayCore Inc. in which the company would donate $95,000 worth of playground and park equipment for play stations around the Tennessee Riverpark.

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Article: Commission to vote on gym contract

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