The history of Cola’s Charles R. Drew Wellness Center. 🏊
You know that big, shiny glass building on Harden St.? It’s hard to miss once you’ve driven north on Harden, past Five Points.

That’s the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center – or Drew Wellness.

The ~40,000-sqft. building was completed in 2005 by The Boudreaux Group – the minds behind local buildings like Richland Library Main, Aflac + UofSC School of Law – and has an eight-lane, 25-meter pool; plus a full basketball court + indoor track. The City-funded building rivals the nicety of UofSC’s Strom Fitness Center – maybe because Strom was *also* designed by Boudreaux.

It’s also tied to some important history of Columbia’s African American community in the 1940s + 50s.

Photo by @thomasskelton3

👨‍ Drew, who?

What do you call a physician, medical researcher and the first ever African American surgeon? A triple threat – or Charles R. Drew. He also organized the first large-scale blood bank, which is probably why the wellness center hosts so many blood drives.

⏪ The history

According to Historic Columbia, the space where the Drew Wellness Center stands today was a 10.5 acre recreational space for African Americans – opened in 1946. The space was originally called “Seegers Park” – after the white family who previously owned a brewery on the land – but it was renamed in 1952 after Charles R. Drew in order to better represent the community.

The park held a swimming pool (the first pool in Columbia designated for African Americans back when pools were segregated), which lead the successful swim team the “Drew Park Sharks,” plus baseball, softball + football fields. There was space for tennis courts + picnicking areas for community fellowship.

Throughout the 50s + 60s, it was a gathering place for social and athletic events organized by Columbia’s African American population to unite the community during segregation.

🏢 The building

The ~40,000-sqft. building was completed in 2005 by The Boudreaux Group – the minds local buildings like Richland Library Main, Aflac + UofSC School of Law – and cost the city $7.66 million. It's city-funded (keep scrolling to see how you can become a member).

Rowley International Inc. (based out of California) designed the eight-lane, 25-meter pool. They also designed the 1984 Olympic Pool now used at the other USC.

💪 Offerings

⏰ Hours: Mon.-Fri., 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. / Sat., 8 a.m.-6 p.m. / Sun. 2-6 p.m.

☑Gymnasium with 500-person seating capacity, two half courts, six basketball goals + one volleyball court

☑Swim lessons

☑ADA accessible fitness equipment

☑Personal training

☑Weight room to get swole

☑An indoor, air-conditioned track

☑Heated indoor, 8 lane, 25-meter swimming pool

☑Instructor led classes like classes like Build&Burn, pilates, cycling, yoga + Zumba

☑Special events like sport clinics (with Mayor Benjamin) + career fairs

💰 Cost

Membership is lower for city residents vs. non-residents on all levels. For city residents, here are some of the rates:

Annual: $264

6 months: $198

Monthly: $39

Senior annual: $198

Family annual: $396

See the full breakdown of prices here.

Daily guest passes range from $3 (youth) to $5 (senior) to $6 (adult). And if you want to drop in and give it a try, Drew Wellness offers free tours.

I had no idea about the backstory of Drew Wellness – it’s definitely part of the historic fabric of Columbia.

I’ve been known to work out at the Drew, as I so lovingly call it, and I can assure you: it’s awesome.

Catch me in the pool sometime – I’ll be wearing the Auburn swim cap (War Eagle).

-Katie, COLAtoday intern + Beth