GREAT FALLS — A new wellness center is opening its doors in the heart of downtown Great Falls, and its mission reaches far beyond relaxation. Bella Vita Wellness, located at 618 Central Avenue, will officially open to the public on June 6 with a grand opening event that includes an opportunity for guests to win a lifetime membership.What began as a shared vision among four local residents, Zack LaCasse and his wife Miranda Dube and Barb and Brad Mullens, has grown into a full-service wellness facility offering everything from float therapy to zero gravity massage chairs. But for the owners, Bella Vita is more than just a business, it’s personal.“We want people to be able to come in and relax from the day-to-day challenges,” said Lacasse, co-owner and longtime fitness professional in Great Falls. Bella Vita Wellness will be the only location in Great Falls to offer float therapy, a sensory deprivation experience that allows the body to enter a deep state of rest, supporting stress relief and mental clarity. “It helps with relaxation. It helps with a deep form of meditation. It helps with just being able to fight against any type of anxiety or depression or any mental challenge,” said LaCasse.The center also features a wide array of cutting-edge wellness technology:Halo Sauna: A five-in-one unit combining red light therapy, chromotherapy, halotherapy (salt therapy), infrared panels, and aromatherapy.HaloRed Therapy: A mix of medical-grade red light and halotherapy designed to reduce inflammation and promote better sleep cycles.Cold Plunge: A high-impact mental and physical recovery tool for clarity and endurance.Tanning Beds: To help elevate mood and provide an aesthetic boost during long Montana winters.Zero Gravity Massage Chairs and licensed massage therapists for hands-on care.”A lot of people don’t know how to manage stress… So actually having somewhere to come and do some stress relief is amazing. The red light therapy, the float therapy, all of these things are going to really help with recovery,” said Dube, a fellow co-owner.For Barb Mullens, another co-owner, Bella Vita holds a much deeper meaning. The wellness center is a tribute to her late son, Tanner, who passed away at the age of 12 after living with severe disabilities.”When Tanner passed away, I basically vowed to him that I would continue basically what he did, and that was bring joy to people… So, when we think of the word Bella Vita, which means beautiful life, that’s what Tanner was, was a beautiful life. He taught a lot of people, a lot of things that I’m going to start crying if I say too much,” Mullens said. A dragonfly perched above the signage serves as a tribute to her son. “I see dragonflies all the time,” Mullins said, explaining that they’re a constant reminder of Tanner’s presence.”The team behind Bella Vita envisions it as a sanctuary for all Great Falls residents. Whether you’re a busy mom, an overworked professional, or someone navigating mental health struggles, the center was built with you in mind.”As a busy mom, I have a lot going on. And I don’t always get a chance to step away and relax,” Dube said. “So, being able to come get a massage, come lay in a float pod for a while and not have to worry about anything is huge. And I think it will be a huge thing for other moms as well and busy professionals.” Barb, who also runs a real estate business in the building, emphasized the need for more community-centered wellness spaces downtown. “There’s a lot of people that struggle with mental health. There’s a lot of people struggle with physical health… We as owners care about the people in Great Falls, and we just really want everyone to be happy and enjoy life,” explained Mullens. The grand opening event on June 6 will welcome community members to explore the facility and learn more about its services. Anyone who purchases a service that day will be entered into a drawing for a lifetime membership.At Bella Vita’s soft opening on May 30, friends, family, and local business owners had the opportunity to tour the new downtown facility and try out its wellness equipment firsthand.Early visitors were already making plans to return. “I’ve already scheduled my three therapy sessions in the red light sauna, three times a week for a couple of months,” said Jason Holden. “I’m already first in line.”For others, the center represents something even deeper.“You definitely need to take time for yourself,” said client Nicole Donester. “I think there’s lots of options here to do things that are going to kind of rejuvenate your body and make you feel better and just have a little time to take care of yourself.”Holden added that he believes the facility could have a lasting impact on the community. “I think that having this facility here will encourage people to put themselves first and their health first,” he said. The team plans to launch their booking system and pricing information online the same day, though walk-ins are also welcome.”I’d like to add a special thank you to my husband, Brad Mullens, for all his hard work in getting the building remodeled and ready for business. His company, Adaptive Home Modifications has been a God send,” added Mullens. Bella Vita means “beautiful life” in Italian, a fitting name for a facility designed to foster wellness, resilience, and joy. The owners hope that the community not only uses the services but sees the center as a space of support and healing. Click here to visit their Facebook Page.