Virginia Peninsula Community College reopened its Wellness Center at the Historic Triangle Campus in Williamsburg on Monday, April 13. Tracey Wright credited “the voices of the students.”
Perhaps the loudest voice came from Bennett Buchanan, president of the College’s new fitness club. He was quick to point out others made sure he was heard.
“She’s really been the one to help me get the gym open,” Buchanan said of Wright, the director of Campus and Community Initiatives for the HT Campus. “I give her lots of credit. She’s been doing everything she can to get it open.”
Buchanan, who lives in Williamsburg and graduated from Lafayette High School, noticed a dedicated wellness center space during a campus tour a few years ago. He attended a TimelyCare meeting in early 2025 as a VPCC student and inquired about plans for the space.
“It went from there,” said Buchanan, who has a personal training certificate and thought reopening the Wellness Center would be a great addition to the campus.
At first, he didn’t think anything would come of it, although he was hopeful.
“But at the same time, I never expected to take on the responsibility to be the voice of the students to get it open and then be in the position as the president of the fitness club or to open up a club in general,” he said.
A key suggestion early on came from Kadisia Archer, Coordinator of Student Life and Leadership, who encouraged the students to start a fitness club, saying it would give them a louder voice.
“I’m glad they gave me the opportunity to make a club,” Buchanan said.
There are about 10 members in the club, and Buchanan hopes it grows. In fact, more than 40 students have expressed interest in the club.
However, the Wellness Center is open to all VPCC staff and students. Fitness club membership is not required to use the facility, which is in Room 224.
“The reopening of the Wellness Center reflects the voices of students working through the Student Government Association, in partnership with College leadership,” Wright said in a campuswide email. “This space exists because students asked for it.”
Buchanan is most proud of the fact the administration listened to students.
“It makes me feel great. I felt very supported the whole way through trying to get the gym open,” he said, noting a lot of people made this possible. “It feels great to have that support and knowing people were backing me up on it.”
Buchanan is in his second year at VPCC but has one more to go to earn his Associate of Science in Science degree. He aspires to attend Old Dominion University or Virginia Commonwealth University for kinesiology.
Wellness Center hours, for now, are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The space contains two elliptical machines, two treadmills, four stationary bikes, kettlebells, box jump equipment, BOSU balls, free weights and more. Most of the equipment is new. There is one men’s shower and one women’s shower.
“It’s not a finished product yet,” said Jonathan Pareti, who recently was named the campus fitness manager. “But, it’s safe and it’s functional and it’s ready for use.”
He would like to organize group classes (maybe yoga or boot camp) and incentive programs, depending on demand.
“We’re continually getting feedback from students,” he said.
Buchanan hopes the fitness club will have activities in the center and outside on the campus grounds.
“We’ll have different workout programs, maybe running or track workouts,” he said. “I want to listen to all the students to see what they want to happen in the Fitness Club.”
Wright and the College administration announced there will be an official ribbon-cutting April 21 at 3 p.m.
Buchanan is happy the time has arrived.
“Just having it open is like a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve been so focused on it the past year. With all the support from everybody, it finally happened.”
Before using the Wellness Center, all participants must complete the VPCC Wellness Center Risk Assumption and Liability Waiver Form.
Pareti has 15 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, the majority in corporate fitness. He lives in Richmond with his wife and two sons. He enjoys running, biking and chasing his kids around the house.
