Appalachian Rural Wellness Center
Barbourville, KY
The 75,000 sq. ft. Appalachian Rural Wellness Initiative (ARWI) / Robert Stivers II Wellness Center was designed as a recreational, service, study and learning center. The center was named for state Senator Robert Stivers II, the Senate Republican leader who represents the area and helped secure millions in state funding.
The Center offers a variety of wellness programs for all ages, including an aquatics program targeting area youth. The Center is anticipated to serve several thousand people annually throughout counties contiguous to Knox County, Kentucky.
Counsilman-Hunsaker was retained for their aquatics expertise to design amenities for their aquatic programming needs. The natatorium includes:
12,600 sq. ft. 50-meter Competition Pool
- Moveable bulkhead allows for different race course configurations and gives flexibility to accommodate multiple program groups simultaneously
- One and three-meter diving
- Nine 50-meter lap lanes
- Twenty-three 25-yard cross course lap lanes
- Shallow water in the middle of the pool for lesson programming and learn-to-swim classes
1,000 sq. ft. Therapy Pool
- Hydrotherapy benches
- Underwater therapy railings
The aquatic center will be home to the Knox Central and Barbourville High Schools’ swim teams and the Piranhas USA Swimming club team; and were honored to host the first UC Winter Invitational in December 2011 and the 2012 Appalachian Swimming Conference Championships.
