For several decades The City of Columbia has had two public pools. Maxcy Gregg public pool, originally built for whites only and named for a confederate general, was built in 1949. Drew Park public pool, built shortly after Maxcy Gregg, was for African Americans only. Though both pools eventually were desegregated, divides remained. The New Wellness Center that has replaced Drew Pool contains the first public pool that the city has built in over 50 years. It is the first public pool to be open year-round and, most importantly, is the first public pool specifically intended to build community by representing the common goal of the citizens of Columbia to embrace cultural diversity and shared civic pride. The thoughtful planning and bringing-to-life of the New Wellness Center represents a noteworthy new direction in the city’s history.
Who is Dr. Charles R. Drew
Drew Park was named after a pioneering African American doctor, Charles Richard Drew. Born June 3rd, 1904, in Washington, D.C., Drew was known as the “Father of the Blood Bank” by developing the enhanced storage of blood plasma and the quality of providing blood transfusions. His innovation of the production of human plasma at a large scale was utilized during World War II. During his life, Drew graduated from Amherst College where he was star athlete of their football team and became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Drew died April 1st, 1950, after suffering severe injuries due to a car crash and was pronounced dead at Cone Health Alamance Regional in Burlington, NC.
Charles R. Drew Wellness Center
Conveniently located in the heart of the city and on one of Columbia’s most heavily traveled streets, an appropriately chosen location for the New Wellness Center was an early goal of the project. The downtown site is adjacent to a revitalized, predominantly black, government subsidized neighborhood. Since construction began, a large mixed-use neighborhood has been mastering planned across the street with access to the new Wellness Center as a specific design determinant. With this vision, the site literally will bridge one of the city’s oldest black communities to one of the city’s newest planned communities.
A major objective of the New Wellness Center is to attract a wide variety of patrons from in and out of town, of all ages and backgrounds, and at all times of the day. The glassed-in and dramatically angled natatorium is the facility’s most striking feature. Located at the end of the building that flanks one of the city’s busiest streets, the natatorium beckons to passersby on their daily commutes. The high visibility and exciting appearance of the New Wellness Center is part of the goal to raise community interest and awareness of the facility’s existence, and to serve as a visible reminder of positive lifestyle opportunities.
Programming
This 40,000 square foot, state-of-the-art wellness facility was designed around several key goals. These objectives include:
Utilizing natural light and spatial interconnectedness to ensure that the spaces welcome all citizens.
Serving as a catalyst for promoting cultural awareness and wellness for all ages
Being a neighborhood landmark
Constructing a durable and long-lasting structure
The New Wellness Center contains a Natatorium that features a pool combining eight, 25-meter-long lap lanes that are easily re-zoned for other pool activities like water aerobics or swimming classes. There are 25-foot-wide steps that lead into the pool on the shallow end, providing safe entry and exit for multiple or handicapped swimmers. Sloping, 40 feet high, glazed curtain walls on the west open the Natatorium to sweeping outdoor views. The south wall is also predominantly glass and looks through the loggia towards the front drop-off area. The Natatorium is adjacent to locker rooms, bathrooms, office space and the main stairs leading to the mezzanine. Opposite the Natatorium is a gymnasium that provides space for basketball, volleyball, and large community events. There is a clear story on the east wall of the gym allowing for natural light to infiltrate. The northeast corner is also constructed of glass to provide additional natural light as well as visual and physical connection to the outdoor playing fields.
The Mezzanine level contains a jogging track that runs along the perimeter of the gym and is open to the gym and loggia s below. Joggers can overlook the Natatorium as they run by the glass wall that separates the mezzanine and Natatorium. A cardio/weight area is also located on the Mezzanine level with equipment for all types of cardio-vascular and strength training workout. The roof over the cardio/weight area projects upward on four sides allowing a clear story to wrap completely around the raised roofline. A training kitchen is available for healthy cooking seminars that are open to the public. The Wellness Center also contains a large meeting room and a multi-purpose room that can be used for aerobics and other physical activities.
To learn more about the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center and their offerings, visit them at 2101 Walker Solomon Way, Columbia, SC 29204 or on their website.
