St Xavier’s College (Autonomous) has used money it had received under a central scheme to set up a “wellness centre” for students and staff.

The 1200sq ft facility houses a gym and a yoga centre. Programmes on mental health will also be held, said an official of the college.

The new centre, which has come up near the library, was inaugurated on Saturday by Father Dominic Savio, principal of the college. Father Savio spent some time on an indoor cycle after the inauguration.

The students and staff of the institution will get to use the facility for free, said an official of the college. “The campus is still closed for students. But when it opens, the centre should be popular among them,” he said.

The college is open for students from 6am to 8pm, in three shifts. “The timings of then facility will be worked out in accordance with the three shifts once the college reopens,” the official said.

The centre has been funded by the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a central scheme for wholistic upgrade of higher education.

“The year 2020 has proved the importance of good health, a strong mind and the need for a stable workout. The new wellness centre plans to keep a health record of staff and students to check the current health solidity, offer health screenings and general care to all,” he said.

The centre will also provide counselling to students regarding stress management and how to maintain a good balance between academics and lifestyle.

“Our new wellness centre is not only a fitness studio with state-of-the-art equipment, but I look at it as the reflection of the holistic education approach which synergises with the Xaverian values and ideology,” said Father Savio.

“Very soon we are going to introduce a weekly interactive session on stress management, depression management, meditation and motivation,” he said.