Raising funds for CFC

—Cresco Fitness Center to be updated
CRESCO - Everything needs updating at some time or another. Look around your house or office. You can’t say the walls don’t need repainting or papered at least every decade, or that recliner that leans 10 degrees to the right doesn’t need to be replaced.
There are only so many phone books that can be put under the right side of the chair to keep it level. Don’t kid yourself. It needs to be replaced.
Twenty-five years ago, a group of forward-thinking individuals saw the need for a fitness center and pool. They built it, people came, but now it needs updating.
Dave Herold, who was on the original committee, recalled Dale Holstrom and Jack Thomson looking at the bigger picture. “They had a vision for the health and wellness of their children, grandchildren and community.”
Now 25 years later, it is time for that next generation to step up, not necessarily for themselves, but for their children, grandchildren and community.
Some of the equipment is as old as the facility, and membership numbers declined because of COVID and are slow in coming back.
Well, it’s time for an update and re-do. A big one!
 
Why update?
Herold noted, “Some people don’t see the need to put money into the fitness center. ‘How is it going to help me?’ What we need to ask is, ‘How will it help the community?’”
The Cresco Fitness Center is one of the big selling points of the community. When individuals are looking for a place to relocate their family, they look at the educational system, the health system and extracurricular activities that include wellness activities that the city and county have to offer them as a family. 
The fitness center gives them that, but is it enough?
Partly yes and partly no. People who have moved away for college or to get a job get used to certain things. One of them is being able to workout whenever they want, not just when the center is open.
When they come home for holidays or vacations, they still want the same small-town feeling. But they also want some of the amenities to which they have become accustomed in the big city. That includes 24/7 fitness availability.
They are just like the young couple looking to move. Give them what they want. Maybe they’ll come back home.
Area fitness centers in Waukon and New Hampton already have 24/7 fitness centers. It is time that we moved in that direction as well.
The plan is to have key cards for those who want to workout before or after hours. This way they can workout during a time that is convenient and fits into their schedule.
In addition, the fitness center is safe. Cresco Police Chief Tim Ruroden toured the current facility and looked over the upgrades being planned. He gave his input to make sure it was secure for those using it at night. It will include security cameras with key fob access to the building.
Fitness Center Manager Wendy Bohr said, “It was the pool that built this facility. Now, the number one space used is the fitness room, number two is the track, number three is the pool and number four are the courts.”
 
More than 24/7 fitness
The committee is listening to what people are asking for and visiting other facilities for ideas.
Although staff (including Bill Caffrey, Bohr and Rick McCarville and most recently Jamie Hackman and Brandon Kerian) have tinkered with equipment to keep it operational, painted, made repairs to infrastructure and much more to keep CFC up and running.
New equipment is being purchased or leased to have up-to-date workout apparatuses and electronics. Each area in the fitness portion will contain different training stations, such as cardio, circuit equipment, group fitness space, benches, free weights and a multipurpose skills area for shooting hoops and other programming. 
 
What do people want?
Two times since 2020, CFC and community members were asked to fill out a survey, letting staff know what they wanted in a fitness center. The top five results included 24/7 access to a fitness room and updated workout/fitness equipment, therapy pool and lazy river and a rock-climbing wall.
A committee was formed and a plan was made to do the projects in separate phases. The first phase is the 24/7 fitness and track area.
The inside of the track is 1/16th of a mile, which is the outer edge of the fitness area. Inside the track will be four/five areas: Cardio machines, weight machines, free weights and exercise and stretching areas and a multi-purpose skills area for shooting hoops.
 
 Finances
Phase I of the project is estimated to cost upwards of $230,000, which includes a 15% reserve for future maintenance or replacement needs. Once the money raised and pledged reaches $200,000, an anonymous donor will put in $25,000!
The Cresco City Council has agreed to fund the project while donations are being paid over a two-year period.
The top 50 users of the CFC have been approached to donate to the project. The next 200 have received letters and brochures explaining the project. 
Any and all donations are welcome and all will be recognized (based on the donor’s wishes) in the track and weight area. Donations can be made out to City of Cresco/Fitness Center and returned to the front desk of CFC or City Hall.
 
It’s a deal!
Memberships for the fitness center are very reasonable. Some of the area national franchise fitness centers charge $43.50 for a single person and times two for a couple. And they are only fitness centers
In Cresco, singles can pay as little as $28 or up to $31 per month. Couples are in the $45 range and families are $50-55. That includes the fitness area, courts, the pool, putting and driving areas, batting cage, pitching area, aerobics rooms, special activities for youth and adults and lockers, with more to be added as interest increases.
Be part of the future.
Be part of the solution.
Be part of the legacy.
Be part of the change.
Scott Thomson observed, “Over 25 years ago, our community came together to make the dream of an indoor pool and fitness center a reality now, our facility needs updates and improvements. These changes will offer additional benefits to our current members and also increase membership, as Dave stated, has decreased since 2020. These proposed enhancements are a win-win for all ages.”
 

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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