Centura Health gifted $4 million to Fort Lewis College for a 10,000-square-foot renovation of the Aquatics Center to transform the space into a sports medicine and performance center.
Renovations for the Centura Sports Performance Center are expected to begin in fall 2023.
Students and student-athletes may use the center for performance training and rehabilitation. It will also support student and community wellness programs and cultural celebrations.
It will provide equipment for strength and conditioning, athletic training, and physical therapy. Mercy Sports Medicine experts with experience in sports medicine and orthopedic care will be staffed at the center.
“Centura Health is proud to sponsor this state-of-the-art sports medicine center at Fort Lewis College for professional and recreational athletes in our community,” said Brandon Mencini, CEO of Mercy Hospital, in a news release. “Living well includes treatment and training on sports-related injuries so we can continue to do what we love in our backyard playground for many years to come.”
Centura will become the sole health sponsor of FLC athletics as a result of the collaboration. The performance center will be part of the health and wellness quad on FLC’s campus, which includes the Student Life Center, Athletics Department, the nearly complete health sciences center and future nursing simulation labs.
“Centura has been a longstanding partner to FLC and our athletes, and we’re thrilled to have their support for a project that will change the way our athletes train and compete,” said FLC President Tom Stritikus in the new release. “We’re especially honored to partner with them on programming that encompasses overall wellbeing and care.”
According to CEO of the FLC Foundation Melissa Mount, the $4 million donation is the largest philanthropic gift in the college’s history.
The Durango Herald reached out to Centura Health on Wednesday for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
