Power Wellness, the private operator selected to run New London’s new recreation center, presented a six‑month pre‑opening timeline and staffing plan at the Dec. 16 special meeting of the New London City Council.

The company said it will hire key managers in March, open an enrollment office about two months before a planned soft opening in late May or June, and pursue corporate rentals and advance bookings for events. “We want our teams on‑site to focus on 3 areas. We want them to provide fantastic programming, we want them to give a great customer service, and we want them enrolling new members,” said Ken Gorman, a company executive leading the presentation.

Why it matters: The city has contracted with Power Wellness to operate the new facility under a “white label” partnership that keeps the New London brand front and center. Councilors pressed the company on how it will ensure affordable access, staff locally, and coordinate with the recreation department to avoid duplication of services.

Company plan and timeline
Power Wellness described an integrated support model: a home office in Lombard will provide marketing, technology, enrollment and accounting support, while local staff will run daily programming. Charmaine, the company’s on‑site staffing lead, said the firm expects to recruit a center director in February and to fill frontline positions in the weeks before opening.

Gorman said the company will deploy a mobile app for membership management and scheduling, and that the enrollment center will open roughly two months before the center to accept early signups. “Members will check‑in using this. Participants will reserve swim lanes using this. We’ll be using block scheduling to block out times that the recreation department is using for programming,” Gorman said.

Council questions on access and staffing
Councilors repeatedly asked how the operator will protect access for low‑income residents and coordinate with existing local providers.

Councilor Rhiannon Dice asked about device access for youth and residents without smartphones; Gorman replied the operator typically supplies 3–5 in‑center tablets that can be kiosk‑mounted for participant use. Councilor Dice and others pressed the firm on dues and affordability; Gorman said the company will recommend dues based on market analysis and work with New London leadership on final fee structures.

Several councilors and staff stressed the importance of local hiring and program coordination. “We will be working with Josh, working with the rec department, taking the programs that they already offer. And we’re going to share this calendar,” Charmaine said, describing a “plug and play” approach to avoid duplicating services.

Programming and clinical partnerships
Power Wellness said it plans 30–50 weekly classes, personal and small‑group training, virtual coaching, and programming targeted at seniors and people with chronic conditions (Parkinson’s, MS, arthritis). The company also described existing partnerships that link clinical referrals to recreation programs elsewhere; Gorman said similar programs could be pursued locally with area health systems.

Board and next steps
Council President Dominguez and Director Reyes said the administration will post the presentation online and continue negotiating contract terms, with the goal of returning a final contract to council on Jan. 6. Reyes said staff and company legal counsel are finalizing terms and that, once contractual approvals are in place, the company will be on site to begin the pre‑opening timeline.

Ending
Power Wellness and city staff said they will return to council with more detail on dues, scholarship or hardship programs, and a community engagement schedule before the enrollment office opens. “We really want to get it right,” Gorman said.