OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The Oklahoma City National Guard (OKNG) broke ground this month to mark the official start of construction of the 32,000 square-foot Wellness Center.
National Guard leaders say, the Wellness Center began as a idea with a hand-drawn sketch on scrap paper during a conversation between Lt. Col. Montana Dugger, deputy for the OKNG's Construction and Facilities Maintenance Office, and Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, about building a place to bring all of the OKNG's resources that support Guardsmen's mental and physical health together under one roof.
“It felt like a team effort,” Col. Lindy White, Joint Resiliency Director for the Oklahoma National Guard said. “We were welcomed and encouraged to provide feedback throughout the process.”
The physical readiness center is set to incorporate a fully-equipped workout space for resistance and agility training, and physical therapy spaces, while other areas will include indoor and outdoor meditation spaces, a chapel for religious and non-religious persons, conference rooms, classrooms, a teaching kitchen, a coffee bar, and offices for OKNG Health and Wellness programs and services.
“With the availability of a chapel, classrooms, and individual office spaces, we have the opportunity for our Service Members and their families to access many more resources,” White said.
For the first time, these OKNG programs and services are scheduled to be under one roof.
“All these services will finally have a home,” White said. “We want to focus on optimal performance and building optimal performers to improve individual readiness.”
In order to maintain a trained and ready force, OKNG leadership recognized that mental health is as important as physical health. National Guard leaders confirmed by acknowledging building the wellness center and housing OKNG resources that support these efforts in one location ensures Guardsmen can find tools and support. “The new wellness center provides much-needed protective factors for Oklahoma Guardsmen to access critical services,” said Brittney Criswell,
integrated primary prevention manager for the Oklahoma National Guard. “As the space was designed, Guardsmen were the number one priority in assuring that the physical space provided accessibility and comfortability that all could utilize.”
According to Criswell, Oklahoma is leading the way in this effort.
“(Oklahoma) will be able to truly live out the idea that there is ‘no wrong door’ in seeking services and support from the community,” Criswell said. “This will allow the helping agencies to better communicate and collaborate on important wellness and prevention measures and meet the needs of our service members.”
The new facility is expected to be completed in late 2025.
“It means a great deal to witness reaching this milestone. We are incredibly appreciative for the support of our Oklahoma legislatures and senior leaders who placed emphasis on supporting our Guardsmen’s health and wellness."
Col. Lindy White, Joint Resiliency Director for the Oklahoma National Guard
