A new fitness facility is poised to open its doors in La Crosse, Wisconsin, marking a significant step forward for inclusive recreation. The STAR (Sports, Therapeutic and Adaptive Recreation) Center, located at 1011 La Crosse Street, is specifically designed to cater to individuals with physical limitations, chronic conditions, and those recovering from strokes or accidents. This groundbreaking center is set to officially open on February 3rd, 2025, with a public open house scheduled for Saturday, January 25th, from 11 am to 2 pm.
A Decade-Long Dream Realized
For nearly a decade, the STAR Association has been providing adaptive sports and specialized exercise programs in La Crosse, but without a dedicated facility. These programs have been operating at various locations, including Central High School and the Concordia Ballroom. The lack of a permanent home presented challenges, but the vision for a dedicated, accessible space remained strong. After facing delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the STAR Center is now ready to welcome the community to its new, purpose-built facility.
Addressing a Critical Need
The STAR Center aims to bridge a gap in the community. “The STAR Center bridges the medical model to the community model,” explains a representative. This bridge is crucial because traditional health clubs often lack the necessary equipment and expertise to accommodate the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. The center’s mission is to provide fitness programs to people “who have a challenge to physical activity, from a disability or a medical reason, that they can’t participate in traditional recreation.” This focus on accessibility and inclusion sets the STAR Center apart.
What the STAR Center Offers
The new facility is designed with a range of features to meet the diverse needs of its users:
- Specially Equipped Indoor Track: The track is designed to accommodate both runners and wheelchairs, with glass walls offering views of the surrounding woodlands and the center’s activities.
- Basketball Courts: Offering space for inclusive sports and recreation.
- Therapeutic Pools: These pools are designed for therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation.
- Strength and Cardio Gym: Equipped with adaptive equipment, catering to individuals with various physical abilities.
- Pediatric Physical Therapy Clinic: Addressing the unique needs of younger individuals.
- Wellness Center: Offering educational and job training programs.
- Veteran Center: Providing support and resources for veterans.
The center is designed to be free of barriers that often limit those with disabilities from accessing the physical activity they need to maintain or regain their health. The facility seeks to create a space where everyone can achieve their fitness goals.
A Focus on Inclusion
The STAR Center is not just about providing equipment; it’s about fostering an inclusive environment. The organization is committed to health equity, where all members of the community can live their healthiest lives. The center offers a variety of programs, including:
- Community-based assisted programs
- Specialized exercise
- Adaptive programming
- Para sport
- Inclusion programming
Every individual can choose the type of programming that best suits their needs, ensuring a personalized approach to fitness.
Community Impact
The STAR Center is poised to have a significant impact on the La Crosse community. By providing a dedicated, accessible fitness space, the center will:
- Increase Access to Physical Activity: It will address a critical need for individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, and those recovering from injuries, enabling them to engage in physical activity that is essential for their health.
- Promote Health Equity: The center will work to close the gap between medically based therapy and community-based fitness, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthier life.
- Foster Inclusivity: The center’s inclusive design and programs will create a welcoming space for all, regardless of ability level.
- Serve Diverse Populations: The STAR Center will serve people of all ages, including youth.
Collaborative Effort
The STAR Center is the result of a collaborative effort between educators, aging and disability advocates, health professionals, and social and support organizations. This collaborative approach reflects the community’s commitment to creating a healthier and more inclusive environment for all.
Beyond the STAR Center: Other Adaptive Fitness Options in La Crosse
While the STAR Center represents a major advancement, other organizations in La Crosse also offer adaptive fitness options, highlighting the city’s dedication to inclusion:
- UW-La Crosse’s Center on Disability Health and Adapted Physical Activity: This center provides community-based programs for individuals with disabilities, offering adult physical fitness programs, children’s motor development programs, and physical activity mentoring programs.
- La Crosse Area Family YMCA: The YMCA offers inclusive and adaptive programs, including adapted aquatics, fitness for all, adapted gymnastics, and miracle league baseball.
- FitLot Outdoor Fitness Parks: The city also has accessible outdoor fitness options.
National Movement for Accessible Fitness
The opening of the STAR Center comes at a time when there is a growing national awareness of the need for accessible fitness facilities. There is a push for federal policies that would require all gyms to be accessible to people with disabilities.
This includes proposed legislation like the “Exercise and Fitness For All Act,” which seeks to mandate that gyms provide specialized equipment and trained staff, making fitness more accessible for everyone. The STAR Center, with its inclusive design and programming, is a prime example of the type of facilities that could help meet the needs highlighted by the national movement.
The Future of Inclusive Fitness in La Crosse
The opening of the STAR Center is a significant milestone for La Crosse, and a great example of what a community can do to provide fitness opportunities for everyone. By prioritizing accessibility and inclusion, the center is not just improving the physical health of its users but also fostering a greater sense of community and belonging. The STAR Center’s grand opening is highly anticipated, and its innovative model will hopefully serve as an inspiration for other communities.
The STAR Center’s dedication to bridging the gap between medical care and community-based fitness is a model that promises to improve lives. This new center is poised to become a cornerstone of the La Crosse community, demonstrating that fitness is for everyone, regardless of ability.
