Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College is preparing for its transition into a new wellness era. Kinesiology program leadership are encouraging students, staff and faculty to take advantage of existing health and wellness services, especially as the college gets set for the opening of a new Kinesiology and Wellness Center at its Pecan Campus.
The new center is expected to further expand fitness and instructional opportunities by welcoming an $8 million, 16,715 square-foot facility that is scheduled for completion in 2026. The facility will include classrooms, offices, multipurpose and exercise rooms, dojo, spin studio and additional support spaces.
Once complete, the building will serve as a centralized hub for wellness, physical activity and kinesiology instruction.
While anticipation grows for the new facility, STC leadership in the Kinesiology program say the current Wellness Center at the campus Pecan Plaza remains fully operational and free for all students, staff and faculty.
“We’re still here, and we want people to know that,” said Ivan Figueroa, STC’s new Kinesiology instructional facilities coordinator who began with the college in October. “A lot of people should remember that our services remain here for them. Everything we offer now is available to all students, faculty and staff at no cost.”
The existing Wellness Center located at 2501 Pecan Blvd., about a block away from the Pecan campus, includes weight-training equipment, a fully functioning dance studio, a spinning room and a dojo space where users can release stress through guided or independent activity.
Access only requires a valid STC identification card.
Figueroa said expanded hours are currently being finalized, with plans to better accommodate early-morning and evening schedules. The center is expected to reopen with the start of the spring semester in January.
“People pay a lot for gym memberships, but they don’t need to if they are part of the STC system,” Figueroa said. “This is a free, no judgment space. We welcome everyone.”
When the new Kinesiology Center opens, Figueroa said services will remain consistent but significantly enhanced.
“The biggest difference will be scale,” he said. “Everything will be bigger, newer and more modern. The equipment and services people see now will carry over with added opportunities as we grow.”
The new building will also support academic pathways within STC’s Kinesiology program, which focuses on fitness, exercise testing, personal training and exercise science, with plans to expand into additional career tracks including physical therapy.
Figueroa brings a background in sports, education and wellness into his role. A former STC student, he completed his core coursework in Kinesiology before transferring to Texas Tech University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management.
He later worked in Houston, interning with Rice University’s football program and serving in multiple roles at a performance training facility.
After returning to the Rio Grande Valley, Figueroa worked in professional sports operations and later as a special education teaching assistant, experiences he said strengthened his commitment to education and service.
“You’re always a student,” Figueroa said. “Education never leaves you. You’re always learning something new, and that’s what matters most. So, don’t be afraid to walk in, ask questions and see what we have to offer. We’re here to help, and this space is for you.”
For more information on STC’s Kinesiology and wellness services, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/kinesiology/.
Information source: STC
