Palm Beach State College students, staff and community members celebrate a new partnership that expands local fitness opportunities throughout the city of Belle Glade

[caption id="attachment_26752" align="alignright" width="300"] From left: Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management Peter Barbatis, Ed.D., Assistant Dean of Student Services Brian Stinson, Susan Becker, and interim Pastor of First Baptist Church Belle Glade Jeff Becker.[/caption]

Over the course of May and June, PBSC has donated exercise equipment, such as dumbbells, treadmills and weight benches, to the FBC Fitness Center, one of Belle Glade’s only gyms, founded by First Baptist Church Belle Glade.

As the College transitions its Belle Glade campus gym into a state-of-the-art tranquility center designed to offer students a calming space with amenities such as soothing music and massage chairs, this partnership ensures students, faculty and staff continue to have access to fitness resources whenever they need.

 “This is good not only for Palm Beach State students but the community as well and for First Baptist Church,” said JT Ocanas, a student at PBSC’s Belle Glade campus and manager for the gym. Ocanas said the move to FBC Fitness has been a positive change, noting that it offers greater consistency and improved amenities compared to the College’s previous gym.

 Located at 101 NW Ave C, Belle Glade, about 10 minutes from the Belle Glade campus, FBC Fitness offers current students, staff and faculty more equipment variety and convenient operating hours, making the transition beneficial for all parties involved. “It gives everyone an equal opportunity to get fit and change their whole lifestyle for the better,” Ocanas said.

“We’re excited about our partnership with First Baptist Church of Belle Glade. After closing our wellness centers due to COVID-19, we partnered with the YMCA on our eastern campuses, but we also wanted to support our western students,” noted PBSC Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management Peter Barbatis, Ed.D. “This collaboration ensures our students, faculty and staff have access to a comprehensive fitness center.”

Palm Beach State encourages all students, faculty and staff at the Belle Glade campus to take advantage of the new fitness options available through this partnership, as part of the College’s ongoing commitment to bettering lives both inside and outside the classroom.

For students interested in one of PBSC's tranquility centers or other personal wellness services, visit this link to learn more: www.pbsc.edu/wellbeing