NTC rebranded, renamed
ROXANNE BROWN | Staff Writer
roxannebrown@dailycommercial.com
The National Training Center, a nationally renowned training place for athletes and which is owned and operated by South Lake Hospital, will be known as the "Live Well Fitness Center."
Officials announced its new name and unveiled new signs and a new look at a dedication ceremony last Friday morning.
Also unveiled was news of an effort by the hospital, Lake County, the city of Clermont and the South Lake Chamber of Commerce, to start work to improve residents' health.
The plan is to promote disease prevention, education and awareness and help establish South Lake County as an area for health, wellness and fitness.
"It's time for us hospital campus and as an entire community, to start branding ourselves as the center for health and wellness. Many people across the world know us for that so let's harness the power of that brand," South Lake Hospital President John Moore said.
Officials shared their plans for creating a healthier community.
County Commissioner Sean Parks expressed support on behalf of the county and presented a proclamation.
"This is an important day for us at South Lake Hospital, one that has been a long time coming," said Moore, explaining that since opening the SLH campus in 2000, it has grown from being just a hospital to include innovative technologies, many of which Lake County residents can only receive there.
The National Training Center, (or Live Well Fitness Center) he said, not only provides opportunities for fun and fitness, but medical and wellness services that are connected to the continuum of care.
"These medical and fitness services are important to us because it gives our community the resources to help them recover and stay healthy at each stage of their life, from birth until their golden years, or from diagnosis to recovery," Moore said. "Today is an important day for us because we taking that next step toward our community's health and wellness."
The initiative includes a reaffirmation of a commitment to build a healthier community, which is why the hospital on Friday re-dedicated the campus with its new name.
"Live Well means exactly that; making changes and taking actions to live healthier and live well," Moore said.
Linda Smith, who sits on the District Board with the hospital she is happy about the local efforts promoting health and wellness, considering that the Florida Surgeon General just recently announced a push to make Florida the healthiest state in the country.
"Well, this puts us at the head of the pack; in the lead," Smith said.
Corporate Board Member Rob Berens, said the initiative is also relevant to today's demographics.
"In light of lower healthcare costs, prevention is gonna be key," Berens said.
Clermont's Louie Perez and Leesburg's Warren Haidu, both members of the Live Well facility said they were impressed when they heard about the local efforts to promote a healthier lifestyle for everyone.
"It's good for the youth especially. Kids nowadays need that encouragement to work out and be healthy," Perez said.
Chamber Chairman Robert Thomson said the South Lake Chamber of Commerce is offering their support and congratulations to the hospital for their new look and initiative.
Thompson said the Chamber will also do their part to promote health and wellness within their membership base.
"We are committed to serving healthier food options at events, are working to place a wellness challenge for Chamber members and continue to try and attract economic development based on health and wellness," Thompson said.
According to SLH Spokesperson Kim Couch, the National Training Center name and brand will still be used for NTC sports, which is the department that does the team recruiting for softball, track and soccer.
NTC will carry on as the brand for those athletes and teams, she said.
"Live Well is the community fitness center for residents as we focus new programming and offerings to the community members to help them get and stay healthy," Couch said.
Friday, March 08, 2013 - www.dailycommercial.com/ntc8