Earl J. Lennard High School today celebrated the unveiling of its newly transformed weight room, made possible through a partnership with Wellpoint and the Impact Fitness Foundation, a national nonprofit focused on expanding access to fitness and movement spaces. The renovation provides a modern, inspiring fitness space that will support more than 800 student-athletes and marks the school’s first major update to the facility in nearly two decades.

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The newly transformed weight room at Lennard High School in Ruskin, unveiled in partnership with Wellpoint and the Impact Fitness Foundation, provides students with expanded access to fitness resources.

The investment reflects a shared commitment to ensuring young people have equal opportunities to access fitness resources and build healthy habits early in life. For many students, schools are one of the few places where safe, structured fitness spaces are available. Research shows that physical activity habits formed during adolescence are more likely to carry into adulthood, yet fewer than one in four high school students meets recommended daily activity levels—underscoring the importance of introducing fitness early and making it accessible where students already are.

Over the course of two days, approximately 50 volunteers worked together to revitalize the space, installing turf flooring, assembling and organizing new equipment, applying graphics, and adding much-needed storage solutions. The project culminated in a ribbon-cutting celebration and formal reveal attended by school leaders and community partners.

“This new weight room represents so much more than updated equipment,” said Richard Peacock, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, Lennard High School. “It’s a space our 2500 students can take pride in, one that encourages healthy habits, builds confidence, and supports their growth both on and off the field.”

As part of the celebration, coaches, teachers, and student-athlete leaders participated in a fitness clinic led by the Impact Fitness Foundation to help them get oriented to the new space. Lennard High School also received a formal fitness curriculum to support ongoing instruction and athlete development moving forward.

“Wellpoint is advancing whole health by investing in the communities where people live, learn, and play,” said Dr. Marc Kaprow, D.O., Chief Medical Director at Simply Healthcare Plans, Inc. and representative of Wellpoint in Florida. “Through initiatives like this, Wellpoint is expanding access to the tools and opportunities students need to safely build healthy habits early and strengthen communities over time.”

Chris Welsh, Founder and President of the Impact Fitness Foundation, added: “High school is a critical time for establishing positive relationships with movement and fitness. Our goal is to create spaces that motivate, inspire, and empower students. This project is a powerful example of what can happen when schools, nonprofits, and corporate partners come together to serve young people.”

ABOUT LENNARD HIGH SCHOOL

Earl J. Lennard High School is a public high school in Ruskin, Florida, named in honor of Dr. Earl J. Lennard, former superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools. The school opened in 2006 and serves students throughout the Ruskin community.

ABOUT WELLPOINT

Wellpoint, part of the Elevance Health family, focuses on improving members’ physical health as well as the behavioral and social drivers that impact it through a comprehensive suite of Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial products. The Wellpoint companies offer healthcare services for consumers at every stage of life seeking to make the right care decisions. Wellpoint is committed to helping individuals and communities make real, positive progress with health plans that foster independence, confidence, and whole-person health. Wellpoint is the trade name of Simply Healthcare Plans, Inc., which is a managed health care plan that currently serves Medicare Advantage and Medicaid members in the state of Florida. For more information, please visit www.wellpoint.com.

ABOUT IMPACT FITNESS FOUNDATION

The Impact Fitness Foundation is a national nonprofit with a mission to provide fitness spaces, movement spaces, instruction, and educational resources to communities that need it most. We transform unused or unsafe areas into motivational fitness and mindfulness spaces designed to promote healthy habits and inspire people of all ages to MOVE FORWARD. Learn more at www.impactfitnessfoundation.com.

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Lennard High School in Ruskin celebrated the unveiling of a new weight room provided by Wellpoint and the Impact Fitness Foundation to expand student access to physical activity, encourage healthy habits, and support youth development in the community.