Villisca Fitness Center opening Oct. 1

 VILLISCA —The new Villisca Fitness Center, located at 211 Central Avenue, just south of Enarson Elementary School is now complete and ready for residents to enjoy. 

An open house is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 29 from 5 - 7 p.m., and the official opening date will be Wednesday, Oct. 1.

“The idea to provide wellness opportunities for the community and a real gymnasium for our elementary students has been in the works for about three years. Construction started in June 2013, and now we’re ready to go,” said Willie Stone, Superintendent of Southwest Valley Schools. 

The new building houses a full-size gymnasium with six adjustable basketball hoops, two volleyball courts, two electronic scoreboards and a three-lane walking track. 

It also includes a fitness room of about 1,400 square feet, with elliptical machines, treadmills and weight equipment.  

 “We want to extend a huge ‘Thank you’ to the Red Oak YMCA and their Board for working with us to help supply 12 pieces of workout equipment and 900 pounds of free weights for our wellness room,” Stone said. Several additional pieces of equipment were also purchased.

Southwest Valley students, youth leagues and city league participants will be able to use the gym free of charge for all school and league activities. For private use, the gym and exercise room are available for rental, and there will be memberships available for purchase by individuals and families. 

The fitness center will be open Monday - Friday: 5 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. - 11 p.m. More information about fees and schedules can be obtained by calling Enarson Elementary School at 712-826-5982. 

“As a district, we are just trying to do something that helps our kids and at the same time provides a service to our community,” Stone said.