by Kate Shunney
Morgan County officials last Wednesday took another step toward opening a Morgan County Wellness Center under public ownership, approving a job posting for Manager of that facility.
That move followed an approval by the Morgan County Commission on October 2 to pay a $35,500 invoice to Griffith & Associates for a feasibility study that outlined how the center would operate and generate revenue.
Commission President Sean Forney, who has spearheaded the project, said the study was one of the requirements for USDA financing of the purchase of the Rankin fitness center.
The facility is located at 23 Fitness Lane, near the Best Western hotel and Angus & Ale restaurant in Berkeley Springs. 
Forney said a “letter of conditions” from the USDA is expected soon – one of the remaining items left to “get to the closing table” on the county’s purchase of the property. Those items have included the feasibility study, financial audits, an architectural review and building inspection of the 18,000-sq. ft., one-story building by Apex Home Inspections last spring.
Forney expects the county can close on the property within the next two months.
Commissioners agreed in May of 2023 to pay $3.65 million for the facility sitting on two lots totaling 2.19 acres. The sale was contingent on Morgan County securing a $2.15 million, 30-year loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Commissioners will use $1.25 million on American Recovery Plan (ARPA) funds toward the purchase and have also earmarked an additional $250,000 in Hotel/Motel funds over two years.
Commissioners in August approved the final reading of an ordinance that will allow them to sell $2.7 million in bonds to cover the loan payments. The USDA will purchase those bonds as part of the deal.
Forney discussed last week opening an account to which commissioners will make payments for a year to cover any possible default on the USDA loan. He didn’t know yet if the county would proceed with the loan at the set previously 4% interest rate or if the county would be able to get a lower rate since the Federal Reserve had dropped interest rates recently.
Commissioners said they thought it wise to hire a Manager for the Wellness Center now to help transition the facility from Rankin Fitness Center to the county’s operation.
“The general thinking is to employ the people who are out there working if they want to stay,” said Commissioner Joel Tuttle.
County officials agreed a full-time manager is needed to coordinate staffing, oversee the facility and promote its use for community members.
Commissioners previously said it’s their hope that the Wellness Center will be a place where youth sports teams can practice, local residents can take fitness and movement classes and community groups can meet for activities.
The county will honor and take over the existing Rankin Fitness memberships and will continue to lease part of the facility to H2 Rehabilitation Service, LLC a private physical therapy business.
An architectural feasibility study by Thrasher Engineering describes the facility and proposed uses of it under county ownership: “In addition to the pre-existing amenities currently offered, the facility will support youth and senior programs and events, establishing several pickleball courts, and add a game room with a variety of games including table and floor games.”
The fitness center, which is currently in operation, has a weight room equipped with cardio equipment, free weights and other exercise equipment, a 6,000-sq. ft. gymnasium, men’s and women’s locker and shower rooms, restrooms and offices.
