MONTEVIDEO — The marketing team at CCM Health would like to have opened the doors to Montevideo’s new $3.2 million CCM Wellness Center with all the fanfare they could muster, but that was not to be. They didn’t learn until June 5 when Gov. Tim Walz would allow fitness centers to open their doors.
No matter, they’re confident now there will be lots of excitement as people see all that this new center offers.
“It’s kind of hard to walk through here and not go wow,” said Scott Sekelsky, interim director for the center, as he led reporters on a tour of the facility Tuesday.
He opened its doors to the public on Wednesday. CCM Health converted the former Coborn’s Supermarket in Montevideo into a 35,000-square-foot center.
The project came in at $200,000 under budget. Best of all, nearly one-half of the work, or $1.48 million, was awarded to local contractors, according to Brian Lovdahl, CEO of CCM Health. “It’s a lot of money pumping back into our local economy,” he said.
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CCM Health staff members were able to “test drive” the new center before it could be opened to the public. “Ecstatic,” said Lovdahl of the response to what they discovered.
Before the doors opened on Wednesday, there were already 155 memberships, representing nearly one-half of CCM Health's overall staff.
The center will need 750 memberships to be financially self-sustaining, according to Lovdahl. He’s optimistic it will actually enjoy as many as 1,500. Despite having to delay its opening, and all the uncertainty about when it could open due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CCM has been receiving lots of calls and inquiries, he said.
Health centers are able to open at 25 percent capacity under the current guidelines from the state of Minnesota. That allows for up to about 100 users in the large facility at any time.
Sekelsky said the center was designed to offer something for everyone. Its 35,000 square feet includes 19,000 square feet of workout area, a conference area, a Kids Zone indoor playground and a walking track. It offers cardio, free weights and strength machines. It also holds an exercise studio, racquetball court, half-court basketball/pickleball court, and a separate weight room for intense workouts.
There are two areas still to be developed. A 2,400-square-foot area will be developed as a workout area for students. A demonstration kitchen will be added for healthy diet programs.
A staff of five will operate the center, with personal trainers on hand. Members will have 24/7 key entry.
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