The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness Unveiled New Multipurpose Gymnasium

Photo Courtesy of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s.

A dedication opened the new gymnasium, funded by a $1 million gift from the Daniel J. Loepp Family Foundation.

(FARMINGTON HILLS, MI – The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness (“KGC”) proudly opened their new, multipurpose gymnasium yesterday during a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The construction of the gym was made possible by a $1 million gift from the Daniel J. Loepp Family Foundation, a private philanthropic family foundation based in Detroit.  Amy and Dan Loepp were in attendance along with Kirk Gibson leadership from KGC and the Kirk Gibson Foundation, and members of the center during the unveiling of the Robert A. Loepp Sr. Multi-Purpose Gymnasium, named in the honor of Dan’s late father who lived with Parkinson’s for more than a decade.

The 2,700 sq.ft. gym, which began construction in May,

is located within the existing center, and will allow KGC to increase the number of classes and programs it offers for those living with Parkinson’s, particularly the PWR! Moves® (Parkinson Wellness Recovery) program. The program is a cornerstone of KGC’s evidence-based approach that focuses on improving mobility, balance, strength, and everyday movement through Parkinson’s-specific exercise. The gift will also ensure continued support through the establishment of an endowment that will provide funds necessary to hire and train additional coaches and staff to run and maintain programs during a time of rapid expansion.

“This new multipurpose gymnasium will allow us to meet the needs of our rapidly growing membership, and I am grateful for Amy and Dan’s generosity which made this opening possible,” said Kirk Gibson.

“Watching my father face Parkinson’s showed us what real strength looks like, and it’s what led our family to this moment. We are grateful to the team at the Kirk Gibson Center for the difference they make in so many lives every day,” said Amy and Dan Loepp. “Expanding the center and naming this gymnasium in my father’s honor, is our way of saying thank you, and making sure that people living with Parkinson’s have a place to find the same strength,” said Dan Loepp.

KGC opened in October 2025 and is dedicated to redefining what it means to live with Parkinson’s disease through evidence-based exercise,

education, and community. KGC is the first of its kind in Michigan and is located at 31440 Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills. The wellness center is a world-class facility where those impacted by Parkinson’s can access a range of activity-based programs and social amenities, completely free of charge. These programs focus on exercise, education, and social connection which underscores the mantra, “Movement Matters”.  The core programing isa series of activity-based programs that utilize the InMotion Approach^TM to provide an integrated, holistic system of wellness programs designed to counteract the symptoms of Parkinson’s and improve the quality of life for those living with the disease.

KGC currently has over 1,000 Members actively participating in classes which far exceeds the original projection of 800 registered Members by the end of 2026.  This unanticipated demand has prompted the Center to accelerate plans to expand capacity, and the new gymnasium will provide space for additional classes like PWR! Moves^TM, Tai Chi, and Dance, as well as several others.

The new multipurpose gymnasium is now open and providing classes and training for KGC Members.

For more information about The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness, becoming a member or volunteer, or to support the mission, please visit: www.KirkGibsonCenter.org

ABOUT THE KIRK GIBSON CENTER FOR PARKINSON’S WELLNESS:

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s was formed by former professional baseball player and iconic Detroit Tiger, Kirk Gibson, after his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease in 2015. Gibson spends his time supporting his mission and vision of spreading awareness for Parkinson’s and providing inspiration and hope to others who are living with Parkinson’s.

The mission of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s is to improve the quality of life of those living with Parkinson’s through the development and delivery of activity-based programs. Over the years and through fundraising events, the foundation has had the goal of opening a center focused on that mission.  This mission became a reality this past October when the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness officially opened.  It is the first of its kind in Michigan and is located at 31440 Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills. The wellness center is a world-class facility where those impacted by Parkinson’s can access a range of activity-based programs, completely free of charge.

The Center provides a series of free evidence-based programs tailored for people with Parkinson’s disease. Movement matters in the fight against Parkinson’s and the Kirk Gibson Center provides an integrated, holistic system of wellness programs designed to counteract the symptoms of the disease and to improve the quality of life of those people living with Parkinson’s disease here in Michigan. The Kirk Gibson Center is more than a facility; it is a center of hope.  It is where people with Parkinson’s discover they are not alone, where they find strength in numbers and they learn that while Parkinson’s may change their lives, it does not have to define them.  The center has become a place for education, empowerment, community, and connection and serves as a model for collaborative coalitions in support of people living with Parkinson’s.

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