To promote health and wellness to the employees of this Fortune 500 company, a fitness center was planned. The goal was to encourage a healthy lifestyle for employees, culminating in a healthy workforce, reduction in lost time due to sickness, increased productivity, and an amenity for employees, and to assist in recruitment efforts. A significant challenge was that the only space available in the corporate headquarters to accommodate this was below grade, severely limiting a couple of important trends in wellness center design, transparency and day-lighting.
The below grade and underutilized space in their corporate headquarters building was converted into a bright and lively fitness center. Program elements include a running/walking track, fitness center with equipment, exercise studios with scheduled classes and on demand virtual instructors, reception desk, administrative offices, and juice bar area.
The new fitness center has been a hit. Usage of the facilities has been robust since the opening. Feedback from Erie Insurance indicates that the fitness center far exceeds their expectations for this once dreary and underutilized space.
