The Seward Wellness Center committee is taking a new approach to bring a wellness center to the city.
Jana Hughes, committee member, said this effort differs from previous, unsuccessful attempts in three different ways.
The first, she said, is the location north of Seward Middle School. She said that provides easy access to students.
“That gives access to all the schools, we can have a youth center in the facility, we can have childcare before and after school and use the bus system to get kids to school in the morning and get them back to the facility after school,” she said.
The second approach, she said, is obtaining a letter of intent from the City of Seward to run and operate the facility once its functional.
As planned, the wellness center will contain a six lane swimming pool, two basketball/all purpose courts, a walking track, exercise and cardio room, a children’s area, a multi-use space and locker rooms. Hughes said the facility will also be open for after school programs and youth activities.
“That lends itself to shared resources whether it be maintenance or mowing,” Hughes said. “The city already runs the (Downing Municipal Pool), so lifeguards already have training, so that makes sense.”
The third is the city council's intention to place a measure on the May primary election ballot that would increase sales tax by half a cent.
If the half cent measure is approved, the committee will move forward with a plan to fund the center with 1/3 sales tax, 1/3 private donations and 1/3 grant and foundation funding.
With the new approach established, the committee has launched an effort to collect $5 million in pledges. The pledge amount is required to receive a potential matching Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act Grant.
Hughes said pledges are due to the grant committee by Dec. 31, so the wellness committee is asking for the community's assistance. So far, the effort has gathered $2.8 million in pledges.
“We're seeing very, very positive response to this,” she said. “We just need all hands on deck to get to this $5 million. Anything helps.”
Hughes said that pledges can be paid over five years and if the wellness center project does not come to fruition, the pledges will be void. She added donations can be made now in lieu of pledges for tax purposes.
Contributors to the cause will be recognized on an honor wall. Certain donation amounts also secure naming rights for various features of the wellness center.
Committee member Matt Dominy said the wellness center project is a chance for citizens to further the attractiveness of the community and add another valuable resource for current residents and people interested in moving to the city.
“This is a chance for our community to be part of something really special,” he said. “We have the (Nebraska) National Guard Museum, we have the (Seward Memorial) library. This is another legacy project that can really showcase the Seward County community and it'd be great if people can get involved and contribute and be part of that legacy as a whole.”
For more information or to download a pledge form, visit www.sewardwellnesscenter.com
