AHOSKIE – One year after the initial plans were formalized, the ViQuest Center invited the public to come see its new &uot;digs&uot;.

The health and wellness center added an additional 5,200 square feet to the facility which has been serving the Roanoke-Chowan community since 2001.

ViQuest Center director Frances Perry was ecstatic about the new services the expansion would allow them to offer.

&uot;We have so many more programs to offer the community now,&uot; Perry said. &uot;What I am most enthused about is the diversity of the services we can provide.&uot;

An estimated 300 people were on hand for Saturday’s grand opening, which offered food, fun and games for the community.

Those who attended Saturday’s festivities were treated to games of Bingo, a watermelon eating contest as well as dozens of rides and games for children.

One major attraction for visitors was the unique experience of watching a professional chef prepare an assortment of goodies.

Jennifer Hodge, known locally as &uot;Chef Jen,&uot; a nationally certified Food Manager from the San Diego Culinary Institute entertained visitors with several healthy choice meals and smoothies.

The cooking demonstration room was just one of the perks of the new expansion.

&uot;We now offer group cycling, karate classes, aerobic classes, adult basketball and softball leagues,&uot; Perry said &uot;More importantly we also now have the ability to offer after-school activities for children with our new kid-zone and a baby sitting service for members who are working out.&uot;

For adults who utilize the weight training facilities of the ViQuest center, the addition of new pressurized equipment will further enhance the center’s offering of modern training versatility.

&uot;The addition of our new Keiser resistance equipment gives our members the option using pneumatic weights instead of the traditional free weight model,&uot; Perry added. &uot;Whereas the free weights are customarily utilized by people with a higher level of fitness, the Keiser system allows a wider range of users to benefit from resistance training.&uot;

Perry anticipates the Keiser system will be available for orthopedic patients and individuals who do not have the ability to continuously lift free weights.

The ViQuest Center’s expansion was facilitated financially by the Roanoke-Chowan Foundation Board, and brings the Ahoskie facility closer to the capacity of its sister facility in Greenville.

&uot;Members of our center will be able to use their membership to utilize the center in Greenville as well,&uot; Perry explained. &uot;The Roanoke-Chowan Hospital community is committed to providing healthy lifestyle options to all the citizens of eastern North Carolina.&uot;

The Ahoskie ViQuest Center is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Memberships are available for children, adults and families.

For more information call 209-3090.