The facility has been made possible entirely through grants from the state of Ohio, ensuring that no local tax dollars were used for its development
From left are Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools Superintendent Dr. Derek Varansky, Tuscarawas County YMCA Board Chair Perci Garner III, Tuscarawas County YMCA CEO Meagan Shaheen and Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools Treasurer Mark Phillips.
Submitted
The Tuscarawas Valley Local School District Board of Education has approved a lease agreement and partnership with the Tuscarawas County YMCA to operate the district’s new Wellness Center. The collaboration marks a milestone in the district’s 2025-28 Master Plan, specifically advancing Goal 3: Community Engagement, by transforming the campus into a community hub.
The Wellness Center, currently under construction within the Community Center, the repurposed original high school, is a $1 million renovation. The facility has been made possible entirely through grants from the state of Ohio, ensuring that no local tax dollars were used for its development. Funds secured for the project include a total exterior wall replacement, new windows, a new secure vestibule entrance, a new HVAC system, new interior flooring, lighting and security systems.
A hub for physical fitness and health
Located at a new entrance near Door 5 of the administrative building, the Wellness Center will be adjacent to the Tusky Valley School-Based Health Center. Under the operation of the Tuscarawas County YMCA, the center will provide physical fitness opportunities for the entire community through a membership system. The facility will feature state-of-the-art exercise machines, with locker room access and use of the gym and other spaces inside the administrative building when not being used for district activities and events. Services offered include a variety of membership options, child watch and fitness classes.
Visionary leadership and community support
“Our goal over the past few years has been to repurpose the original high school into a community hub, a space that can be used by all without costing the district financially to operate,” said Dr. Derek Varansky, superintendent of Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools. “By partnering with an organization as respected as the YMCA, we are ensuring that our residents, staff and students have access to professional programming and wellness expertise right here on our campus.”
“We are honored to be part of this exciting project and partnership. By working together, we can expand access to health and wellness opportunities, create meaningful opportunities for community engagement and help build a stronger, healthier Tuscarawas County,” said Meagan Shaheen, CEO of the Tuscarawas County YMCA.
This partnership adds to a growing list of community resources housed within the district’s Community Center, which already includes the Aultman Bolivar Health Center, Tusky Valley Senior Center, Phoenix Rising Behavioral Healthcare, Intera Wellness and Counseling, Cognitive Organics, KP FitLife, Affordable Christmas, Camp Invention and the Tusky Valley Family Resource Center.
Looking forward
Construction is underway, with substantial completion no later than Oct. 31. The Wellness Center is projected to open at the beginning of 2027. The partnership with the YMCA is expected to streamline the center’s opening and provide a sustainable model for long-term community use.
For more information on the Wellness Center, contact the district office at 330-859-2213 or visit www.tvtrojans.org.