Ill-health, of body or of mind, is defeat. Health alone is victory. Let all men, if they can manage it, contrive to be healthy!
-Thomas Carlyle

Dept. of Human Services, SLC

Physical Activities Recreational Center (PARC)

Our new Wellness Council met in January 2006 with members representing each Division in the Department of Human Services Administration building under the direction of our Executive Director, Lisa-Michele Church.  The Wellness Committee was divided into subcommittees of  (1) Fitness & Exercise and (2) Information & Education.

The Fitness & Exercise committee drafted up a survey to determine the wants and needs of the staff.  It was determined that a fitness center was a priority of the staff.  Included in the survey was a list of equipment that would be used if a fitness center were to be approved.  Also, included in the survey was a box to suggest a name for the Fitness Center.

Over 100 suggested names for the fitness center were sent in response to the survey.

The names were sent out and voted on by the staff. After the votes were tallied the winning name was The Physical Activities Recreational Center (PARC).

The survey and some suggested areas to house the PARC was included in a proposal, which was written up and sent to our Executive Director for approval.  After the Executive Director approved the proposal, the Fitness & Exercise Committee visited other State agency fitness facilities, i.e. The State Tax Commission and The Department of Health.  The staff at these agencies was very helpful to give us tours of their facilities and to educate us on what they had learned about setting up an exercise facility.  The Wellness Council Tool Kit and Healthy Utah Wellness Conference also provided some valuable information.