The Fitness Court® Studio at Western Texas College will be similar to the equipment at Washington County Convention Center in Greenville, Mississippi (pictured).
Western Texas College (WTC) has been selected as a 2026 recipient of the Blue Cross Blue and Shield of Texas – National Fitness Campaign Healthy Campus Grant, making the College eligible to receive a $40,000 grant to support the development of a state-of-the-art outdoor Fitness Court® Studio designed to promote health, wellness, and physical activity for students and the broader community.
The award recognizes WTC’s commitment to improving access to health and wellness opportunities and advancing a culture of well-being throughout the campus and broader region. The Fitness Court® Studio initiative is part of a nationwide movement led by the National Fitness Campaign to make world-class fitness free and accessible in public spaces across the country.
“This opportunity aligns perfectly with our commitment to supporting the whole student and strengthening the quality of life for the communities we serve,” said Dr. Laurie Sharp, President of Western Texas College. “The proposed Fitness Court® Studio will provide an innovative, inclusive, and accessible outdoor space where students, employees, and community members can engage in healthy activity, build connections, and enhance their overall well-being.”
The proposed project includes a Fitness Court® Studio featuring seven exercise zones and an outdoor wellness classroom space designed to support users of all fitness levels. Plans also include shade structures and public art components that will create a welcoming environment while enhancing the visual appeal of the campus. The facility will be available for individual workouts, organized fitness classes, wellness challenges, and community engagement activities.
The grant award is part of a statewide partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and the National Fitness Campaign. Through the program, participating organizations receive financial support, technical assistance, design guidance, and promotional resources to establish outdoor fitness facilities that encourage healthy lifestyles and community engagement.
To secure the grant funding, Western Texas College will complete a series of project milestones over the coming months, including formal acceptance of the award, confirmation of matching funds, site planning and design, installation, and a public ribbon-cutting celebration anticipated in early 2027.
College leaders view the project as an opportunity to strengthen both campus wellness and community partnerships.
“Community colleges play a vital role in creating healthy, vibrant communities,” Sharp said. “This project would expand access to free fitness opportunities while creating a gathering space that encourages lifelong wellness and active living. We are grateful to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and the National Fitness Campaign for recognizing Western Texas College as a partner in this important work.”
The Fitness Court® initiative also supports Western Texas College’s forthcoming strategic plan, “Serving Students Together: A 10-Year Strategy for Western Texas College (2026–2036),” by advancing student well-being, strengthening community engagement, and enhancing campus environments that support student success and quality of life.
Additional project details and implementation timelines will be announced as the College advances through the grant confirmation and planning process.
About the National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court®– the world's best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign is preparing to welcome its 750th healthy community in 2026, as it continues to grow the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride of every American.
About Blue and Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas — the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas — is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with more than 168,000 physicians and health care practitioners, and 550 hospitals to serve nearly eight million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas). Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.