Thanks to a $285,000 grant from the Decatur County Community Foundation’s Mental Health Initiative, Lakeview Wellness is transforming the former marina residence at Lake Santee into a dedicated hub for health, connection, and care.

Many didn’t realize there was an indoor pool and nearly 2,800 square feet of lakefront space tucked above the convenience store, until now. This underutilized property will soon serve as an ADA-accessible wellness facility offering mental health services, community classes, and healing-centered gatherings for all ages and abilities.

Rooted in our mission to co-create a vibrant community through mental, physical, and spiritual wellness, Lakeview Wellness began as a grassroots effort responding to overlooked needs in rural Decatur County. In just two years, we’ve offered counseling, massage therapy, water aerobics, yoga, WholyFit, Bible discussion, Pilates and more, with the indoor pool alone rented nearly 60 times last winter.

The renovated space will allow professional wellness practitioners, mental health counselors, movement instructors, and spiritual care providers to operate from a centralized, accessible location and better serve our rural community. Plans include a private ADA-accessible entrance, multipurpose community rooms like the Lakeview Gathering Room and kitchen, and new outdoor decks to help combat isolation and encourage connection.

This grant makes it possible to bring vital services closer to home, but there’s still more to do. We continue to seek additional funding to complete the full vision of a sustainable, welcoming wellness hub for Lake Santee and surrounding areas.