After 17 months of construction, the Seward Wellness Center opens its doors to the public on Sunday, March 30.
A ribbon cutting and celebration with backers, dignitaries and enthusiasts will begin at 1 p.m. that Sunday, and the center will remain open until 5 p.m. for people to explore the facility.
Wellness Center Executive Director Joel Brase said people can walk through the center on their own and enjoy refreshments during the event.
Brase looks forward to getting more people into the center. A few advance tours have been offered for area groups and businesses as the center completed finishing touches.
“They have had a great reaction to our space. People who did not know what to expect have been impressed,” Brase said. “It’s been a long process, but it is now coming fast.”
The $21 million center has been financed with gifts and grants of more than $3 million, a Nebraska Civic and Community Center Financing Fund allotment, and an addition to the Seward sales tax which will help to repay the construction loan in the long run.
Seward Changing the Game, which has led fundraising, is now working to build an endowment for future maintenance and needs.
The full-time staff started work the week of March 10 and part-time positions are now being finalized.
Jamie Fields joins the staff as recreation director and assistant director of the center. She will oversee sports and athletic programs, as well as the indoor pool at the center and the outdoor pool at the park.
Tom Vajgrt has been hired as facility director. He formerly worked with Seward Public Schools.
Samantha Patterson is the new childcare director working with programs and after school care. She had started on a part-time basis earlier to ensure licensing and other arrangements were complete.
In addition to the indoor pool, the center offers gymnasium and track spaces, weight rooms and multi-purpose studio spaces for classes and other activities.
Area residents can purchase memberships or pay a per-day fee to use the wellness center. The online membership program will also be used for Seward’s city recreation program registration.
