Work continues toward new Fitness Center

Mar. 12, 2008

Work is ongoing to gather support for the proposed addition to the Student Fitness Center at Montezuma Community Schools.

A group would like to see a 60-by-90-foot addition, to be called the Lew and Delores Lundy Wellness Center.

The center will honor the memory of Lew Lundy, longtime Montezuma school teacher and supertintendent (36 years) and Delores Lundy, who was a Montezuma High School art teacher for 26 years.

Details of what would be included are in the statement of the group’s written goals at the end of this story.

“People are willing to help,” said Deb VerMeer, who is part of the organizing committee.

VerMeer said committees have been formed to research grant application possibilities, and to start talking with representatives of area businesses.

Committee members met with the public at the Montezuma Area Business Expo on Tuesday, March 11.

VerMeer said several of Montezuma’s larger business firms have expressed interest in the facility for purposes of setting up wellness programs for employees.

Here are the committee’s written goals for the Lundy Wellness Center:

Overall Goal

To improve the health and wellness of our students and our community

Community Goals

·        Open more hours

·        Increase amount of cardiovascular workout and exercise equipment

·        Indoor walking track

·        Restrooms and showers

·        Free weight room will be accessible

·        Trained staff

·        Physical therapy room operated by Grinnell Regional Medical Center

·        Lockers and water fountains

·        Music or TV while exercising

School Goals

·        New free weight room

·        More space

·        More equipment

·        Better accessibility

·        Encourage more male and female athletes to participate in weight training programs

·        Water fountains

·        Showers

·        Unification of programs

·        Physical therapy room

Funding

The committee plans to apply for a Vision Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism program grant as  school-city alliance.

This grant allows the committee to apply for one-half of the project funding with the other half coming from fund-raising activities.

Donations

Tax-deductible donations can be made to:

Montezuma Community Foundation

%Wellness Fund

They can be sent to:

Deb VerMeer

P.O. Box 310

Montezuma, Iowa 50171

For questions or to volunteer, call or e-mail one of the following:

Greg & Shelly Long

641.623-4474

longs@zumatel.net

Al & Denise Rabenold

641.623-5461

aldenise@hotmail.com

Doug & Deb VerMeer

641.623-3525

debvermeer54@hotmail.com

110 S. Fourth Street    Montezuma, IA 50171     Phone: 641-623-2177   Fax: 641-623-3571   Cell: 641-891-1983   Toll Free: 800-247-0092   OPEN 24 hr. at www.vannoychevrolet.com