COLLEGEVILLE, PA. (Oct. 2, 2026) — Ursinus College today hosted a ribbon-cutting for a world-class outdoor Fitness Court® and digital wellness programming. Students, alumni, college representatives, and elected officials attended to celebrate a major win for regional health. This new space provides free, high-quality workouts and digital wellness programs, making fitness more accessible and equitable for everyone in the community.
Montgomery County community members can access the Fitness Court from the Perkiomen Trail, a scenic 20-mile multi-use rail trail that borders the rear of the campus and runs just a few blocks from Main Street in Collegeville. The southern end of the Perkiomen Trail connects to the Schuylkill River Trail in nearby Oaks. Located adjacent to the Floy Lewis Bakes Center on the college’s campus, the Fitness Court is a modern outdoor circuit training center that allows users to complete a full-body workout in as little as seven minutes at seven stations, designed by the National Fitness Campaign.
“We are excited to host a common space for the Fitness Court and welcome our neighbors to interact with students, faculty, and staff,” said Ursinus President Gundolf Graml, Ph.D. “Opening college spaces to the community builds vital connections, boosts local culture, and helps institutions act as shared public assets, an essential connection in today’s higher education environment. Ursinus has thoughtfully designed our outdoor spaces to encourage continued learning outside the classroom while knitting together a diverse group of people and creating a sense of community.”
In thanking donors, Michelle Yurko, vice president for external relations and strategic initiatives, emphasized that the new facility will serve as a lasting resource that promotes health, wellness, and community connection.
“This milestone highlights the impact of collective philanthropy and what we can achieve when alumni, corporate partners, foundations, and friends of Ursinus unite behind a shared vision,” she said. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the generous donors who transformed this vision into reality.”
The project was made possible through a grant from Independence Blue Cross, which partnered with the National Fitness Campaign to expand access to fitness courts across Pennsylvania, as well as through generous donor and grant support. Alumni who contributed include William Norcross ’70, the Class of 1970, William Rheiner ’57, David ’80 and Elizabeth ’81 Rosvold, and Joyce Sipple ’59. Additional support was provided by PepsiCo.
At the event, retired cardiologist, Ursinus trustee, and donor David Rosvold, M.D., emphasized the universal value of physical activity. “Regular exercise is a critical investment in long-term health, whether you are a student or an adult. Given its location right near the Perkiomen Trail, I hope the Fitness Court makes Ursinus a go-to spot for outdoor enthusiasts. I'm proud to support a project that champions healthy living and brings people together on our campus.”
Created for adults aged 14+ of all abilities, the Fitness Court workouts are adaptable to all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users may also download the free Fitness Court App, which serves as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. Ursinus College is one of the first Campaign Partners to build a network of Fitness Courts across the region, with the help of Independence Blue Cross.
“We are excited to have Ursinus College join us in the journey to improve health and wellness as we work to make a powerful and long-lasting impact on health outcomes and happiness by building healthy communities across America,’’ said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “The addition of the outdoor Fitness Court, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and well-being of Montgomery County.”
For more information on Independence Blue Cross’s support of NFC, please visit https://www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/pennsylvania.
About Ursinus College
One of the nation’s "Colleges that Change Lives," Ursinus College integrates academics with hands-on, real-world learning, and career preparation through APEX, a learning ecosystem that prepares nimble professionals who emerge ready to thrive in their first job and in every job after. A top 100 national liberal arts college, Ursinus is noted in rankings for its return on investment, social mobility, and graduate success. Nestled on a picturesque, tree-lined, 170-acre campus just 25 miles from Philadelphia, Ursinus College offers an inspiring environment for experiential and global learning, personal growth, and career readiness.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. For more than 85 years, we have been enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve. We deliver innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneer new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and support programs and events that promote wellness.To learn more, visit ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.Independence Blue Cross is a subsidiary of Independence Health Group, Inc. — independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, serving the health insurance needs of Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania.
About National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign (NFC) 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 2025, 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. Learn more about National Fitness Campaign at nationalfitnesscampaign.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
