Staff photo / R. Michael Semple Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, center, talks with Warren G. Harding High School student Austin Moore, 17, right, while touring the esports lab at the new Student Recreation & Wellness Center following the center’s ribbon cutting Monday afternoon. Also touring the lab was Warren Superintendent Steve Chiaro, left.

WARREN — It was a morning of excitement Monday for the Warren City School District, as one building hosted a state leader and district officials introduced a new campus facility.

Gov. Mike DeWine joined district officials to celebrate the grand opening of the $36.1 million Student Recreation & Wellness Center, a facility he called “a transformative investment” for the students and community.

Touring the center with Superintendent Steve Chiaro, DeWine discussed the importance of such a comprehensive project in improving student wellness and engagement.

“This center is a real game-changer,” DeWine said. “It combines health, education and recreation in one place, giving students opportunities that will help them succeed not just in school, but in life.”

The two-story, 120,000-square-foot facility, located between Warren G. Harding High School and ,Mollenkopf Stadium, features a range of resources aimed at promoting academic achievement, physical fitness and student engagement.

Among its highlights are a 200-meter indoor track, a multisport practice area, walking track, sensory and yoga rooms, and dedicated spaces for robotics and esports teams.

Chiaro noted that the esports program, which hosted its first competition at the center just days before the grand opening, is already a source of excitement.

“Our team placed second, and it’s a great start for something that’s still on the ground level,” he said. The robotics lab, another key feature, aims to enhance STEM learning opportunities for students.

The center also includes a soon-to-be-finished student-run bistro, aligning with Ohio’s graduation seal initiative by offering first-hand experience in hospitality management and entrepreneurship.

“This isn’t just about credits; it’s about preparing students for the workforce and building real-world skills,” Chiaro said.

The wellness center will also house a soon to be constructed 6,600-square-foot satellite pediatric facility operated by Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley. The facility will include testing labs, X-ray services and surgery suites, and will serve students and the community. Chiaro emphasized the value of this partnership, saying it reduces barriers to care and improves attendance by offering on-site treatment for students.

Funding for the project came from a combination of federal grants and district allocations, with $16.5 million provided through grants.

Chiaro called the center a “testament to the district’s commitment to its students” and the culmination of years of planning.

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin’s statements echoed that sentiment, describing the center as a cornerstone for the future of Warren.

“This is more than a building, it’s a symbol of our shared commitment to the success of our youth,” he said.

Warren Board of Education President Patricia Limperos reflected on the center’s historical significance. “Even 100 years ago, leaders recognized the importance of investing in youth. This facility continues that legacy,” she said.

DeSalvo Construction Company served as the project’s construction manager. President Joseph K. DeSalvo described the project as “awe-inspiring” and expressed gratitude for the district’s trust.

“This facility is transformational for the youth and the community, it’s the heartbeat of Trumbull County,” DeSalvo said.