By Sara Quam
The Rock County Pool and Fitness Center has drawn attention from Mark Ossenfort of MC Fitness and Health Club, Worthington.
Although he makes it clear that he's just interested at this point, he may enter into a lease agreement with the county and city.
"That facility is an awesome resource, and it can be built upon to be a focal point in the community," Ossenfort said.
MC Fitness draws some of its 1,100 members from Rock County and boasts many services and equipment that Rock County doesn't.
A similar deal to the one considered here is underway in Jackson where Ossenfort might help manage that city's pool, which is subsidized similarly to Rock County's.
The Pool and Fitness Center is jointly owned by the city of Luverne and Rock County, and each contributes $72,000 annually.
The Pool Commission, which advises the governing boards, hasn’t yet discussed Ossenfort's interest. City and county attorney Don Klosterbuer will look into legalities of new management or any lease agreement or purchase of the facility.
At this time, no decision has been made other than to investigate and study the concept and proposals. It could be as long as a year before that is completed.
The city and county both express their confidence in the operation and the professionalism of the Pool and Fitness Center employees.
Because discussions are at the preliminary stages, it isn't clear how the city and county may stay involved if management is turned over to Ossenfort. Whatever the deal may bring, Ossenfort said he wants the facility to improve upon what it already has as a well-managed and maintained facility.