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Contact:
Doug Foreshoe, Bergland & Cram Architects
Kristy King, Bergland & Cram Architects
1002 E State Street, Mason City, Iowa 50401
release date:
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Construction
of the Franklin County Wellness Center is on schedule
In October of this year, preliminary design work
for a new Franklin County Wellness Center was just beginning. Three months later, construction is underway and continues to
be on schedule for this community project.
The design and build team of Dean Snyder
Construction and Bergland & Cram Architects was commissioned by the
R.A.C.E. organization to construct the wellness center which is located
just southwest of Franklin General Hospital in Hampton, Iowa.
The initial phase of the Franklin County Wellness
Center called for the completion of site grading and foundations by the
first of December. As this
primary work was completed on time, the subsequent phase of work was
being readied for bids. Phase
II construction will include the exterior shell concrete panels and
structural steel.
The wellness center will incorporate joint
recreational and wellness services including a full size indoor pool,
therapy pool, gym, running track and locker rooms.
Strength weights, a fitness room and flexible multi-use space for
other activities will also be integrated.
Several preliminary design schemes were explored in order to find
the most efficient and flexible solution for the owners and the
community.
Franklin Wellness Center Press Release
RACE going forward: $300,000 in funding still needed
Aug
12, 2004, Hampton, IA – RACE (Residents Active in Community
Exercise) mailed the required documents to the Iowa Dept of Economic
Development’s Community Attractions and Tourism (CAT) committee
yesterday in hopes to secure the $650,000 grant awarded toward the
project by that committee last November. Since the award date, RACE had
nine months to secure funding for the project. After months of planning
and fundraising, the results have now been compiled and sent to Des
Moines for review.
The Franklin Wellness Center will be
handicapped accessible and include an indoor pool, therapy pool,
gymnasium, elevated walking track, fitness & weight room,
multipurpose room, lockers rooms, and lounge.
The facility will be operated by a Board of Directors made up of
various local volunteers.
The goals and objectives of the Franklin
Wellness Center, which will be located adjacent to the Franklin General
Hospital campus, are to improve the quality of life through physical
activity, thus reducing health risks.
Programs will be structured for both young and old in the hope
that citizens develop healthy habits that last a lifetime. Plans call
for a wide range of membership options to make it accessible and
affordable to everyone.
Moving Forward
Requests for proposals are being prepared for a group of 5-7
invited contractors for the design and bidding of the Franklin Wellness
Center project. This bid process should yield the greatest value for the
investment. Proposals will include a preliminary design, elevations or
rendering, budgeted costs, design costs and all fees. The submission of
the bids will be due by 5:00 p.m. on September 1, 2004.
All questions concerning contractor proposals should be directed
to Annette Renaud at Franklin County Development Association at
641-456-5668.
Each contractor will be given a project
overview, listing all the required components of the 27,650 square foot
$3.6 million project. RACE’s selection committee will go over the
proposed projects and make a recommendation to the RACE board of
directors sometime in mid-September. A groundbreaking ceremony will be
held in early November 2004 with completion late summer or fall of 2005.
Bids are anticipated to be in the range of $3.1 to 3.2 million for the
facility, including a 4-lane lap pool. Contractors are to also include
the cost for a 6-lane pool. An allowance has been established for
furniture, fixtures, and equipment of $220,000.
Fundraising Report
While the requirements for the CAT grant have been met on
schedule, fundraising efforts continue, with $300,000 of the estimated
$3.6 million still needed in donations and pledges to meet the second
phase fundraising goals. The co-chairs are optimistic and hopeful that
the announcement that the Franklin Wellness Center’s becoming a
reality will encourage donors to pledge the remaining $300,000.
Fundraising efforts will continue until the goal is met.
Naming opportunities for the pool and the entire facility are
still available. For
information regarding making a donation or pledge, contact co-chairs
Todd Wragge, Linda Kuehner or James Kent.
A special challenge for Hampton-Dumont
High School graduates featured a matching program offered by an
anonymous donor. The challenge was done to honor Berry Johnson, an
educator and principal in the H-D Community Schools from 1962-2000. The
challenge has been met for some time, but RACE is still accepting
donations to determine which class will be the largest donor and which
class will have the highest percentage of donors. Each of those
classes will be given special recognition in the facility.
The total amount of donations received
will dictate the final design of the Wellness Center, especially the
size of the lap pool. The goal is to have a 6-lane pool to maximize the
use and programming of the pool. If sufficient funds are raised, other
items previously deleted to make the construction of the facility more
affordable may also be considered and added back to the final plan.
Franklin County R.A.C.E., Inc.
Funding Summary:
$1,288,000 Private
pledges, payments, in-kind gifts and memorials
557,000
Hampton-Dumont 1962-2000 Class Challenge (includes anonymous
match)
$1,870,000 Total
Private funds
650,000
State of Iowa Community Attractions and Tourism (CAT) grant
100,000
John K & Luise V Hanson Foundation Grant
650,000
Franklin General Hospital, FGH Foundation & FGH Auxiliary
(in-kind & pledges)
66,000
City of Hampton and Franklin County
305,000 Remaining funds needed to meet goal
$3,616,000
Estimated total for Franklin Wellness Center Project
*** MEDIA ADVISORY
***
HARKIN STAFF TO DISCUSS WELLNESS ISSUES
DES MOINES – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today
announced that his staff member Heather
Stubbe will hold a town meeting on wellness issues in Hampton
at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday,
June 29.
“Wellness is something that is difficult to define, but easy to
understand. It means eating
right, exercising regularly, and developing healthy habits now in order
to prevent major problems in the future,” said Harkin. “This is mostly just common sense. Iowans who take their cars in for regular maintenance
understand the basic concept: You either pay a little
now to keep things in good shape, or you pay a whole lot later when things go seriously wrong.”
Harkin has promoted preventive care throughout his career
with such measures as the school fruit and vegetable pilot program, the
Menu Education and Labeling Act (MEAL), and school junk food
legislation. In the last
several months, Harkin has spent time visiting and talking with schools,
employers and other community organizations in Iowa who are doing
innovative things to promote wellness. Harkin also recently held a
hearing in Iowa to learn more about the medical and financial costs of
chronic conditions such as obesity, tobacco use and mental illness.
He is currently working on major legislation to give Americans access to
better preventive care and consumer information to promote healthier
lifestyles in the workplace, communities and schools.
WHO:
HEATHER STUBBE, AIDE TO SENATOR TOM HARKIN
WHAT:
TOWN MEETING TO DISCUSS WELLNESS ISSUES
WHEN:
3:30 p.m.
– 4:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, JUNE 29
WHERE:
FRANKLIN GENERAL HOSPITAL
1720 CENTRAL AVENUE EAST
HAMPTON
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