The City of New Albany broke ground today on a 52,000 square foot center for healthy living in partnership with some of central Ohio’s most well-known health and wellness organizations.
Known as The Core, New Albany’s center for healthy living will help transform how medicine is practiced by combining medicine, individual fitness, and community health activities all under one roof. “From a health standpoint, The Core goes well beyond the physical components of a building,” said New Albany Mayor Nancy Ferguson. “Our entire community is now at the forefront of an approach to wellness that has never been done before, and this community hub of healthy activity will complement New Albany recreational amenities that already exist.”
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is leasing approximately 38,000 square feet of medical and fitness space in The Core, which is expected to open in Summer 2014. “This is very exciting for The Ohio State University, as this center could help us transform how medicine and wellness are integrated to improve people’s lives, and quite possibly create a national model for community health,” said Dr. Steven Gabbe, chief executive officer of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “For years, we’ve had a strong connection with this community through the New Albany Walking Classic. The Core is a wonderful extension of those efforts and an ideal opportunity to implement our personalized approach to health care. Members of The Core will receive customized health assessments, with an emphasis on prevention rather than rehabilitation to connect a patient’s health and wellness goals to the fitness options available. We look forward to partnering with the citizens and businesses in New Albany to keep them happy and healthy."
In addition, Nationwide Children’s Hospital is leasing approximately 8,500 square feet of medical space. “We have a long-standing relationship with the New Albany community, providing sports medicine services and health and wellness education to New Albany student-athletes since 2005,” said Dr. Steve Allen, MD, chief executive officer of Nationwide Children's Hospital. “Participating in New Albany’s center for healthy living will allow us to amplify the care provided in the community. Collaborating with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Healthy New Albany allows the creation of a full spectrum wellness program that will positively impact all New Albany residents, students and families. We are extremely excited to be participating in this unique program.”
Healthy New Albany is a local grassroots initiative founded by New Albany resident Dr. Phil Heit, Professor Emeritus of Physical Activity and Educational Services at The Ohio State University. Healthy New Albany’s purpose is to promote healthy lifestyles for those who live or work in New Albany. In a short time, Healthy New Albany has organically connected tens of thousands of people through the New Albany Walking Classic, the Healthy New Albany community magazine, a lecture series, the New Albany Community Garden, and the New Albany Farmer’s Market. “The New Albany Center for Healthy Living will be a destination place in the heart of New Albany,” said Heit. “Healthy New Albany will manage the community space within the center and collaborate with the medical partners to create programming for all ages. The synergy created through our collective efforts is going to get us closer to making New Albany the healthiest community in the United States, which is the ultimate goal of Healthy New Albany.”
The Core is the result of good planning and partnerships and an outgrowth of a City of New Albany study to create more vibrancy and foot traffic to the Village Center. Life in New Albany is anchored by its Village Center, a pedestrian-friendly area that is home to special events, restaurants, coffee shops, government offices, a 200-acre learning campus, the library, the McCoy Center, and a planned amphitheater. The Core will help increase foot traffic in the Village Center while staying true to New Albany’s planning principles.
As city officials envisioned, the increased foot traffic expected from The Core is also creating new Village Center development opportunities desired by many residents. The New Albany Company recently announced plans for its Market & Main commercial development that will bring additional office, retail and restaurant offerings. Together, The Core and Market & Main developments represent more than 80,000 square feet of new Village Center development. “The Core is going to bring more people, more activity, and more development to the core of our town,” said New Albany city manager Joseph Stefanov. “Combined with all the quality of life amenities and partnerships we are creating for our residents and business partners, this center for healthy living is an excellent community investment.”