Three years ago, Positive Women’s Network planned a capital campaign to finance a wellness center for women, complete with exercise and lifestyle classes, spa services and fitness coaching.
Like its existing programs that connect women with free or low-cost preventative breast care and other health-care and social-service resources, the center would be an avenue for the nonprofit to make a difference in women’s health and lives, said Kerri Mallams, executive director of the Everett-based organization.
But the campaign was a disappointment, she said. “Women’s health was not a priority at that time” was a common response from prospective donors.
Mallams and the staff of PWN were undeterred. After receiving financing through Mountain Pacific Bank as well as donated time and services from a number of local businesses and professionals, the nonprofit in July opened the Women’s Wellness Center in 6,000 square feet of leased space in downtown Everett.
The $300,000 remodel project included space for circuit training; a cozy sitting room for one-on-one consultations with life coaches, nutritionists and hypnotherapists; two rooms designated for body work such as massage, Reiki and acupuncture; a catering kitchen and meeting area for brown-bag lunch seminars; and the offices of PWN itself, formerly located in a house on Broadway.
Interior designer Susan Wilcox donated all of her services in transforming a hulled out space into a serene environment with a day-spa feel, Mallams said, noting the gleaming, original fir-wood floors; the muted lighting; and the use of greenery and water sculpture.
Countertops and sinks throughout the center were donated by Quality Counter of Everett, while Albert Lee Appliance was a big help in supplying appliances, she said. Project Service Management was the general contractor.
Artwork chosen for the center highlights PWN’s mission to improve women’s health. The sitting room is decorated with art from breast cancer survivor Freeda Lapos Babson, and the center’s walls, purposely left blank, will play host to local art, said Mallams, who founded PWN in 1996.
“We have a committee to oversee quarterly art showings. (The theme of) breast cancer will be the next call to artists, with the show running October, November and December,” said Mallams, who has a background in social work.
While much of the center has a tranquil feel, the circuit-training room in which participants can get a full-body workout in a half-hour is brightly lit and energized, with music pumping a driving beat. A section of the room is open space and can be partitioned off for yoga, Pilates and tai chi classes, Mallams said.
The Women’s Wellness Center is membership based, with a $40 monthly fee gaining members access to circuit training as well as a 25 percent discount on other services offered, such as Reiki, acupuncture and fitness classes. PWN also is partnering with Everett Community College’s School of Nursing to offer health-screening events, she said.
“Most of our services will kick off in the fall,” said Mallams, noting that there are membership scholarships available.
“It was important to us that it was available and accessible to all women in the community,” she said.
In addition to therapeutic body work and personal coaching, events scheduled for September include a four-week Tai Chi for Beginners class, an eight-week Purna Yoga – Level 1 class, an eight-week Purna Yoga Introduction class, a four-week class on Creating Your Personal Wellness, free Brown Bag Lunch Series sessions on skin care and homeopathy, and a free Financial Wellness Series course.
While summer hours for the center are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Mallams said she expects those hours to soon expand to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.
On Oct. 18, the center, at 2817 Rockefeller Ave., will hold a grand opening from 4 to 6 p.m. with fun activities and tours planned, Mallams said.
“Now that we’re getting past the construction phase, it’s (exciting),” she said. “We’re looking ahead.”
For more information on the Women’s Wellness Center or PWN, call 425-259-9899 or go online to www.pwnetwork.org.
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