By Sara Quam
The Rock County Pool Commission heard informal proposals Tuesday from companies that are interested in pairing with the Pool and Fitness Center in management or services.
The proposals weren't as much plans or offers as they were hypothetical discussion.
First, Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System representatives addressed the board and essentially said that member rates could remain the same if memberships increased.
Increasing memberships would mean a different marketing approach and more wellness programs set in a family-friendly atmosphere. Motivation and education are key to retention of members, from pre-natal to geriatric clients.
Mark Ossenfort, owner of MC Fitness in Worthington, said his approach would be different from the hospital's in the way he would aggressively market and upgrade the facility.
Sioux Valley
Local hospital administrator Jerry Carl was one who spoke on Sioux Valley;s behalf. "I like being able to share our thoughts and ideas, but IÕm certainly not an expert on running a fitness center."
The pairing of Sioux Valley and the Fitness Center would make sense for the hospital because it needs more space for things like rehabilitation, and the Fitness Center needs to manage costs and increase users.
Cal Hansen, director of the fitness center's wellness program in Sioux Falls took over that program eight years ago and increased its membership to almost 11,000.
If Sioux Valley entered into an agreement, the county and city of Luverne would likely remain co-owners, but taxpayer subsidy would probably reduce.
Hansen said in his experience as wellness director that making a facility friendly to everyone, including children, is necessary. He said many new members feel intimidated and need guidance and thatÕs where Sioux ValleyÕs resources of health professionals could help.
"We have everything from programs for grandma and grandpa to the babies who aren't born yet and let me tell you, they all work out together side by side and love it," Hansen said.
"You need it busy all day long, more than just from 4 to 7 p.m.," he said.
Tammy Loosbrock, director of physical therapy at Luverne Community Hospital, said her staff is eager to help with more programming, ranging from pre-natal fitness programs for increased speed for athletes and massage therapy.
She said, "We're very hungry for space. It would be nice to have an off-site rehab center for outpatients. We're bumping shoulders over there now."
Focusing on wellness rather than fitness is a trend she sees as growing. Sioux Valley said that creating a center that makes members comfortable and motivated for their health would benefit Rock County.
Ossenfort
Similar to Sioux Valley, Ossenfort said his agreement with the city and county would be in the form of a lease management agreement. He said he is confident that the taxpayer subsidy could be eliminated in about three years even with membership rates staying at the same price.
He said he'd do that by working with a team of trainers who would orient new members to equipment and work on an ongoing basis for a fee on top of the membership rates. He said rates might not remain quite as low for the duration of his management, but that any increase would come with major updates.
Even without raising rates, though, Ossenfort said he would initially invest in more equipment that would include heart rate monitors. The equipment would be increased and updated treadmills, bikes, elliptical machines, TVs and VCRs over three years.
He said the professional fitness staff, with four-year degrees in training, would be new hires because his current staff doesnÕt have the time to share work with Luverne.
The increased services is what Ossenfort felt he could offer to members that would be above and beyond what they now have. He even envisioned a smoothie bar in the future and even a 4,000 square foot expansion.
Like Sioux Valley, Ossenfort said he would incorporate family friendly services for children and people who have children.
He said the pool part of the Fitness Center is a tremendous attraction and he would allow MC Fitness members to get cross-memberships so they could use the pool and draw more traffic into Luverne. Luverne members could also use Worthington's club.
Although Ossenfort's facility now offers physical therapy, he said he is willing to let Sioux Valley continue in the relationship it now has with the Fitness Center to use it as a supplement to its hospital work. He wouldnÕt bring in his own physical therapists as competition.
"We would like to continue the current working relationship with the hospital and if possible in future, expand it," he said.
Similar to Sioux Valley's wellness approach, Ossenfort said that he considers his programs lifestyle management. "The facility needs to be fun and entertaining. We can develop all the different age groups to be involved at the facility."
He said the average age of his members is about 40 but that he worked with a 90-year-old woman to get her stable enough to stay out of a nursing home. MC Fitness also has athletic programs for fourth grade to middle-school age students who participate in classes and off-season sports.
Ossenfort added that he wants the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center to remain open to people of all income levels and accessible to those who didn't picture themselves as Fitness Center members before.