One year after a soft launch, Springfield Platteview Community Schools (SPCS) is expanding access to its Administration Building Fitness Center to include spouses and partners of employees.

What started as a small wellness initiative within the district has grown into a vibrant space for staff to prioritize physical and mental health. Located inside the Administration Building at 765 Main Street, the SPCS Fitness Center was made possible through a partnership between the SPCS Board of Education, district leadership, the SPCS Education Foundation, and generous support from Google.

“The Fitness Center has quietly become an important part of our school culture over the past year,” said Nichole Baugh, who helped lead the project. “We’re proud of how it’s serving our staff, and we’re excited to now open it to their spouses and partners as well.”

The idea for the Fitness Center came directly from a community needs survey, where residents identified health and wellness resources as a top priority, second only to a grocery store. What followed was a coordinated effort to bring the vision to life, creating a modern, well-equipped space that encourages connection and well-being.

All SPCS employees have free access to the Fitness Center after completing a brief set of paperwork. This fall, the district is expanding the program to include staff spouses and partners for an annual fee of $50, which helps cover maintenance and equipment costs.

Interested staff members or spouses can email andi.arsenault@spcsne.org for enrollment information.

As the Fitness Center continues to grow its accessibility, the district is exploring possibilities for broader community access in the future.

We’re proud of what this space represents for our staff, and we hope there’s interest from the wider community as well,” said Superintendent Ryan Saunders. “If that need exists, we’ll carefully consider how to expand access while preserving the space for our employees and their significant others.”

The Fitness Center reflects a larger movement within SPCS to support employee well-being as a core part of its culture.

“This isn’t just about exercise,” Saunders said. “It’s about creating a culture of support. When we support our staff and their families in staying healthy, everyone benefits, including our students.”