GALLIPOLIS, Ohio (WSAZ) – Construction crews will soon build a new health and wellness facility on the Gallia Academy High School campus. Gallipolis City Schools Superintendent Craig Wright says it’s the latest development in Gallia Academy Stadium and the STEM Project.

“The governor approved the Appalachian Community Grant, which was $2.6 million for a wellness facility,” Wright said. “As part of this project, we were able to add concessions and restrooms so that it kind of encompasses the stadium.”

Wright says the health and wellness facility will have staff from Holzer Health System, Hopewell Health Centers, Health Recovery Systems and staff from the district. It will provide on-site medical care, optical and dental services, and behavioral health services for GAHS students, staff and the community.

The new facility will be built around the track complex, perpendicular to the existing multipurpose athletic and academic building. Wright says additional stadium improvements are in the works.

“As soon as that starts, we bring in lighting. I just resurfaced the track. We have a playable pitch and that’s all good. Then we basically look at a press box and the stands. We have money set aside for the scoreboard and stuff, so we’re just reaching out and asking our community to help us,” said Wright, who applauded the community for the donations that have already helped bring the project to this point.

The ultimate vision is to turn this property into the home of Gallia Blue Devil Academy football and say goodbye to beloved Memorial Field sometime in the next three to five years.

“There is a lot of history there at Memorial Field. We’re trying to bring that here. We also want to involve the VFW and members of our community in making it as special as this,” Wright said.

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