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Input sought for pool and fitness center

Subhead
Open house set for July 12; focus groups set for July 13, July 20
Lead Summary
By
Lori Sorenson

The city-owned Luverne Area Aquatics and Fitness, built in 1978, is about to get some updates and improvements.
It could be a matter of new carpet and cardio equipment or as extensive as an outdoor splash park and indoor walking track.
The extent of those plans depends on the outcome of public forums planned for Wednesday, July 13, and Wednesday, July 20.
Also, an open house to tour the facility will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 12.
There will be two focus groups on each day, one from 10 to 11 a.m. and an evening forum from 7 to 8 p.m. All gatherings will be in the Luverne Elementary School commons.
The Pool Commission, which includes City Council members and interested citizens, has been meeting with wellness experts and gathering ideas for programs and offerings, as well as structural improvements.
Comment cards have been distributed to members and visitors to the facility and to those who attended an open house June 20.
In addition to praises and criticisms, comment cards asked for ideas on how the facility could be made better.
While there were many suggestions, the prevailing ideas included the following:
•Update and expand the main desk area.
•Make additional space for staff support.
•Update locker rooms and add a family room(s).
•Add floor space to offer more classes.
•Walking track.
•Drop-in day care.
•Social area.
•Outdoor splash park.
•24/7 access.
The city hasn’t said how much it would be willing to spend on pool and fitness improvements, but committee members say that’s why it’s so important that the public have a voice in the process.
“We don’t have an estimate in mind until we know what the proposed plans are,” said city finance director Barb Berghorst, who also serves on the committee.
She said costs for improvements at the facility would not prompt an increase in the local tax levy, since payments on existing debt are about to expire.
Community wellness has been identified as a priority in the city’s charter commission, and the pool and fitness center budget is already subsidized by city taxpayers $300,000 per year.
The remainder of the facility’s revenue comes from membership fees. The facility has more than 1,208 members and nearly 79,000 visits in 2015.

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