MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The largest fitness facility in the Marine Corps will open aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune 10:30 a.m., Oct. 11.
The 104,000 square foot Wallace Creek Fitness Center includes an outdoor training area, state-of-the-art cardio and workout machines, 50 ft. rock climbing wall, indoor 200m track, indoor pool, racquetball courts, two basketball courts and a juice bar.
“With the amount of people on base, we thought it would be a good idea to create an environment with everything people need,” said Brian Crawford, Wallace Creek Fitness Center manager. “With a focus on High Intensity Tactical Training, free weights, fitness classes, basketball and volleyball courts, this facility offers everything anyone needs.”
The classrooms will offer yoga, H.I.T.T., biking and group exercises. Semper Fit and MCCS focused on creating an all in one facility.
“Other gyms aboard base have been converted into a fitness facility while Wallace Creek was built specifically for fitness,” said Crawford.
Navy corpsman with the Naval Hospital set up a clinic to practice sports medicine and rehab therapy for patrons recovering from injuries.
The gym is also energy efficient and equipped with solar panels to save on electricity.
“We really hope patrons come to the grand opening dressed and ready for a workout,” said Laura L. Koene, deputy director of Semper Fit. “As soon as the ribbon is cut, they are welcome to jump into the pool, harness themselves for a climb on the wall or grab a basketball and head for the courts.”
The center will offer a new place to service members and civilian employees aboard base to complete daily workouts.
Hours of operations will be weekdays from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.