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Table of Contents
Mission Statement Page 3
Overview Page 4
History of community betterment Page 6
Why a fitness center Page 7
Who will use it Page 8
Funding Page 10
Estimated operational expenses Page 12
Small community fitness centers Page 13
Structure Page 14
Poised for success Page 18
This endeavor effectively started in January of 2007. It is a process in motion and subject to change as time goes on. This pamphlet is written in April of 2007 with many question still outstanding, not the least of which is our 501(c)(3) status. It has been applied for but the IRS has a large backlog and it looks as though it may be 6 months or longer before we have a firm reply. We are therefore not able to say that your cash contributions at this time will be tax deductible. We are hopeful that the IRS will rule favorably so that you contribution will be tax deductible. SHERIDAN COUNTY HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTER Organization: Nonprofit 501 (c) 3 Purpose Provide a facility that will offer activities to promote physical health and fitness to all community members in the surrounding area. Goals
• Promote health and fitness and improve quality of life • Provide a safe out-of-home environment to minors • Provide activity alternatives during the year • Provide presently unavailable health and fitness services for the community • Provide economic stimulus through employment opportunities • Provide the opportunity to keep the current workforce healthy through fitness and recreation, potentially reducing the cost of health care • Provide stimulus to (keep people in county) maintain population of county • Provide exercise and maintenance of physical strength for elderly • Provide hydro-physical therapy for patients • Provide physical activity for middle-aged • Provide activities and a safe environment for school children • Provide competitive events for the sports minded of all ages
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Mission The mission of the Sheridan County “REC” Center, a non-profit corporation, is to offer groups, teams, families and individuals (people of all ages and backgrounds) affordable high quality exercise options and events that stimulate physical health, fitness and quality of lifestyle, through a state of the art environment which encourages personal and professional growth and fosters the economic sustainability and development of Sheridan County. Overview Sheridan County Health Plus is a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is the construction and operation of a wellness and fitness center in Plentywood, Montana. Plentywood is the county seat of Sheridan County Montana. It has a population of 1,800 souls and is classified by the Department of Health and Human Services as a health manpower short area and a ‘frontier’ county. Sheridan County is bordered on the north by Canada, the east by North Dakota, the south by the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and the west by Daniels County, Montana. Sheridan County has a population of about 4,000 people and has primarily an agriculturally based economy. There is a small amount of crude oil production in the county as well. Plentywood has a nonprofit hospital and nursing home, a private medical clinic, a private assisted care facility, a nonprofit communal retirement community, a group home for the disabled and a number of private apartment complexes for the elderly. The next closest larger medical facility is over 90 miles away. There is a seasonal pool operated by the city but no other organized physical fitness facility for the general population, let alone a year round facility for this near sub arctic community. There are a number of individuals with chronic medical conditions that would benefit from improved physical fitness. Some of the conditions include type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, degenerative joint disease, cerebral vascular disease, obesity, and cerebral palsy. In addition to this, there is a need for after school programs for children and healthy lifestyle education for all ages. Sheridan County Health Plus is planning a two story facility with 13,000 square feet per floor. The lower floor will house a 25 meter lap pool, a 12 meter hydrotherapy pool, an aerobic exercise room, locker rooms and racquetball courts. The upper floor will have meeting rooms for educational activities and general public functions, office space, walking track, and open space. The facility itself will be constructed to maximize the use of renewable energy sources for heat and air exchange with over 60% of its energy use coming from geothermal and solar sources. It is located on land owned by the city and will be 100 yards away from a retirement home with 60+ senior citizens, 300 yards away from a hospital and nursing home and 500 yards from the primary city park. The school (K-12) is 500 yards away and the major residential area of town borders this facility. The hospital presently offers physical therapy and is anxious to utilize this facility for hydrotherapy conducted by its physical therapist. The facility will also provide an excellent long term solution for post cardiac rehabilitation services and maintenance of musculoskeletal function regained during physical therapy. It is planned to have a health science graduate employed as the manager so that various health activities can be provided by the facility. These will include but not be limited to: flexibility exercises for seniors, walking track health education in smoking cessation, healthy lifestyles for school children, diet and exercise classes for the overweight and meeting space for presently offered tobacco and drug prevention services. The long term success of such
a facility is going to depend on its use by the public and its operational
costs. Public use is dependant upon a number of factors that include: The present plan is to keep capital costs as low as possible and complete the facility with a combination of public donations, donations from other 501-c3 organizations in the community, grants, and no interest USDA REDL loans. If we are able to construct the facility without taking out a interest bearing mortgage, the only ongoing costs will be operational costs. The board of directors will be non-reimbursed volunteers. The only operational expenses will be those of running the facility and are enumerated in the financial forecasts. There will be a number of
sources of income for this facility: We estimate the monthly membership to be 300 people. This is based on the fact that the local golf club has 250 members. We expect that this facility will attract at least that number of people. The projected monthly charge of $35 is very reasonable for a facility of this type and is in line with the fees presently charged by the local golf club and city run swimming pool. The use of the hydrotherapy pool is difficult to estimate; however, Stanley, ND, a town of less population has a hydrotherapy pool that has been operational for over five years. They have about 9,000 people visits yearly for use of the pool. With even a fraction of this number using the hydrotherapy pool, there would be a substantial income. Public donations, individual use fees and facility rental fees will most likely be a relatively small but definite contribution to income.
A History of Community Betterment The people of Sheridan County have been investing in the future of our county ever since they first came as homesteaders in the first part of the 20th Century. Many of these efforts are still going concerns and make our lives better to this day. This county was settled by a hardy stock of people coming for free farm land. They were hardened by the harsh weather and economic times of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Those who survived embraced the technology of their time and built improvements that enabled a better and easier life. They funded these improvements through member donations and various grants. When the private grain elevator companies of the 1920’s were taking 80% of the cost of a bushel wheat as freight charges the farmers organized independent grain elevator co-ops and built their own elevators to ship and market their own products. We see the benefit of this today with the Westby Farmers Elevator building a 100 car state-of-the-art facility to ship agricultural products from our region. Rural electrification was spearheaded in this county by Anna Dahl and others using funds made available through programs started by FDR. We now have Sheridan Electric as a direct descendant of that effort providing dependable electrical service to our farms and smaller communities and overseen by a local board of directors. The telephone company Nemont started as a small rural telephone co-op and now provides our area with the most modern digital telephone and broadband services available. What other rural area of this size can say that? This too is done by local people serving their community and utilizing local dollars to make improvements in our life. Sheridan Memorial Hospital and
Nursing Home as well as the Pioneer Manor were both started with donated funds
and are run by volunteer boards of directors. What would our quality of life be
like without them? Our city owned swimming pool started out its life as a
privately owned pool at what is now the Wildwood Park. The building that is
there now is the pool house. The pool was donated to the city by Mr. DeSilva
who owned a pop bottling plant just north of the pool. This pool was not heated
and was used as the local swimming pool by many of us who grew up in Plentywood
until the mid 1970’s when the Lions Club and city joined forces to build the
present pool at Sherwood Park. Our town parks, school, paved and curbed streets, town square are all examples of community improvements that have been initiated by local people and provide lasting benefit to the present and future residents of our county. We think that this health and fitness center will join the other community based endeavors as a lasting improvement that betters the lives of our citizens. Why a Fitness Center Fitness is a good predictor of
long-term health and life expectancy. The fitness of the average American, and
especially our children, has been in steady decline over the past decade.
According to many recent health projections, the present younger generation will
be the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
The reasons for this are multiple and spur a lot of discussion and debate, but
most experts would agree that a major contributor to this decline in fitness is
a parallel decline in physical activity. They grew up in the years before rural electrification and mechanization of labor. The first forty or more years of their lives were spent physically doing the labor of daily living. They manually pumped their water from a well, they walked 100 feet to the outhouse, they used a half-bushel scoop to move grain from the wagon to the storehouse, they kneaded bread and used a wash board, they bundled grain and hand fed it to the threshing machine, and they walked a mile or more to school. They were physically fit because the labor of living kept them fit. It is our suspicion that this physical fitness plays a large part in their successful old age. One near octogenarian (he died at 98) commented that when he was a young man it was rare to see a 200 pound man. Look around now. Living in our modern society is not nearly as physically demanding (it may be more mentally stressful) as life in the first half of the 20th century was. So how can we improve our fitness and potentially enjoy a healthier and longer life? We can exercise more. Easy to say but much harder to do, especially on a long term basis! Is there any way to make fitness more enjoyable and therefore hold our interest longer? We feel a community fitness center accomplishes this and we are committed to doing it. This is the reasoning for the proposal for a community health and fitness center in Sheridan County. The need is here, the plan is here, the desire is here. This is a very doable project with significant benefits to many of us in the county. Its success will depend on your support. Visit the proposal we have made and consider contributing time, funds, or ideas. Who Will Use the Fitness Center Most of us come into this world
with good health. Our job is to maintain it throughout a lifetime. Almost
every one of us would benefit from the physical activities that would be
available at the center. The plan is to offer many different types of
activities that provide the variety needed to appeal to a diverse population.
If you like competitive individual activities there will be racquetball and
swimming events. For the person who enjoys a slower paced activity there will
be a walking track, individual aerobic machines and swimming. For group
activities we plan organized classes such as aerobic exercise, tai chi, water
aerobics and others. Diversity is the theme when looking at our proposed
activities. The water facility will be constructed to allow formal hydro-therapy administered by a physical therapist. There will be a smaller pool adjacent to the exercise pool that will be a number of degrees warmer so that proper body temperature can be maintained in a low exercise environment. Water jets will be installed in this pool to allow its use as a ‘hot tub’ when not used for formal therapy. Both pools will be accessed by a common set of steps and also be handicap equipped to allow in and out access to individuals unable to use their legs. With proper scheduling the facility can accommodate the needs of all our community members. During the 9 AM- 5PM workweek the center can be geared toward people who aren’t on a 9-5 schedule such as the retired. The evenings would then be geared for those who have more of a schedule during the week. The center will provide a social environment that will be conducive to health maintenance for all ages. We all know that we should exercise, but, frankly, it is very boring. By having a fitness center we will have a social milieu that will hold our interest longer and provide the opportunity to better our health. Fitness is a good predictor of long-term health and life expectancy. The fitness of the average American, and especially our children, has been in steady decline over the past decade. According to many recent health projections, the present younger generation will be the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. The reasons for this are multiple and spur a lot of discussion and debate, but most experts would agree that a major contributor to this decline in fitness is a parallel decline in physical activity. This is the reasoning for the proposal for a community health and fitness center in Sheridan County. The need is here, the plan is here, the desire is here. This is a very doable project with significant benefits to many of us in the county. Its success will depend on your support. Visit the proposal we have made and consider contributing time, funds, or ideas. Funding There are many potential sources of funds for such a venture: donations, public and private grants, matching funds, and borrowed funds. It is our feeling that, ideally, the building funds will be provided by those who will use it and those who feel they want to support such an endeavor in Sheridan County. There are many ways to donate. We plan to have a plaque at the entry of the facility recognizing those who donate in the Medal classes and medallions for those who ‘buy a brick’ for $100. We do feel that there is enough discretionary spending in the county to build such a structure but also realizes that a first class facility is going to require a large initial expenditure and, also, that we may not be able to depend solely on donated funds. For this reason, were are pursuing other options by contacting various government agencies and private foundations that may have grants and matching funds available for such a community health project that utilizes renewable energy sources so well. If any of our readers have any knowledge of available funds, please seek us out. Another aspect of funding a project such as this is to keep construction costs low. Many recent larger building projects in our county have depended on outside large contractors coming into the community to build. This ends up adding charges for remote location and other charges. By using local help guided by outside experts, costs can be kept lower. DONATED FUNDS: We plan to give recognition to those donating funds. This will be in the form of a plaque that will classify seven classes of donors:
We realize that many of our potential members do not have readily available funds to contribute, but it is indeed true that from a tiny acorn a great oak grows. If resident of Sheridan County were to contribute one dollar a day, more than $1,400,000 would be raised in a year. For this reason we would like everyone to consider the concept of the ‘layaway donation’. There are accounts set up at the local banks so that people can put a little away on a regular basis. It all adds up. If you don’t feel that you can be a member, consider a few of the following scenarios:
· Many local employers have volunteered to pay their employees membership fees if the center is built. This amounts to about $0.25 an hour raise for the participating employee. If the employer is willing to invest in their employee’s health, perhaps the employee can contribute the funds to build the facility. The employee can have an automatic withdrawal from their paycheck that is deposited in a layaway account at the bank. Twenty-five cents an hour for a 40 hour work week is $10 a week. Will you miss it? · Do you have a grandchild or any significant personal friend that you are concerned about because they have too much free time on their hands? The Fitness Center will be an ideal place to use that time constructively. The ‘layaway’ gives you an opportunity to affect someone else’s life. · Do you have a habit that nickel and dimes you? A can of pop a day, a candy bar a day, a pack of cigarettes, playing the machines, etc. Put that money to use building a structure that will improve your health rather than take it. · Medication and health costs too high? The fit individual has less health related expense. Take matters into you own hands. Layaway a little now so you can improve your fitness in the near future. Do you own stock that has appreciated dramatically over the past number of years. Sometimes it pays to donated appreciated property rather than pay taxes on the gain. Talk to your financial adviser and keep the Fitness Center in mind. Business Contributions We have already mentioned paying for your employees membership fees. Healthy employees mean fewer sick days, less insurance cost, and more productive employees. You can also help by donating goods and services. Also consider that such a new structure in town is going to mean a more attractive community for all and a better business atmosphere. Growth can spur more growth. Former Residents Do you have fond memories of your rearing in Sheridan County? Do you still have people here? Have you wondered how you could express your appreciation and see the community improved. A donation to the Fitness Center is a good way. Do you have an expertise that can assist this project? Please feel free to let us know.
Very Preliminary Estimates of Costs:
Capital Costs: Capital Cost based on retail $4,500,000 OR Capital Cost based on penny pinching $2,000,000 Memberships: Goal is an individual monthly membership cost of $35.00 with no initiation fee. This can only be realized with full capitalization by charitable donations so that there is no ongoing mortgage cost. Cash Flow Estimates Revenues: Memberships #300 126,000
Other 30,000 Operating Expenses: Ads 1,200 Insurance 15,000 Payroll 90,000 Postage 1,200 Repair 2,500 Supplies 6,000 Telephone 1,320 Utilities 7,000 Water 2,000 Computer 2,000 Mortgage ??? 27,780
TOTAL EXP 156,000 Difference 00 Small Community Fitness Centers After our initial ideas about a health and fitness center in Sheridan County we started hearing about other similar ventures in small rural areas. The ones we have heard about are all quite recent and most have followed a similar funding plan. They were generally met with a certain initial skepticism but have proved to be remarkably successful. Scobey Montana’s hospital installed a small, single use hydrotherapy pool and it has been financially successful and is used frequently. Whitefish, Montana had a dormant 501(c)(3) entity that had been formed 30 years ago to build an indoor pool, but had not been successful. A few years ago, a businessman there picked up the ball and started to promote an indoor recreational facility. About 2 years ago the opened their facility ‘The Wave’. They have over 4,000 members from a population base of 24,000, keep five physical therapists busy, employ over 10 people, and have plans for expansion. Cody, Wyoming, the Paul Stock Foundation announced in 1997 that they would build an aquatic center for the community. Their contribution was about 20% of the cost of the structure that was later donated to the city. The rest was raised by public donations. The facility is 72,000 Sq Ft and is busy from 6:00 AM until 10:00 PM. They have plans to expand. They opened in 2001. Stanley, North Dakota received a donation from a local inventor and built a large hydrotherapy pool complex that is operated by their hospital. It opened a couple of years ago and has had over 10,000 patient visits a year. Belle Fourche, South Dakota opened a 72,000 Sq Ft swimming and recreation center in 1992 and it continues to be successful. The larger towns mentioned above have facilities that are proportionally larger than the one that we have proposed and the smaller communities proportionally smaller. Their successes are reassuring to us and stand as proof that community fitness centers can survive in the rural areas. There is no reason to think that our proposed facility will be any different. Structure The building itself will be two story’s and will be placed just west of the present golf course upper parking lot and west of the dining area. This is a sloped hill and will allow the lower level of the building to be level with the present meadow that is midway down the hill. There will be an entrance on the south here to allow access to the swimming pool and racquetball courts. The second floor will be at the level of the present upper parking lot and there will be a second entry here as well as a walkway to the golf club dining room. The building will be built out of Insulated Foam Concrete Block with a Permacrete maintenance free exterior and steel interior supports. Renewable energy will be used extensively in the building with a combination of a ground source heat pump and separate solar panels to supply the low temperature water needed to provide the radiant heat for the building and pool. There will be a new technology condensing gas boiler to supply hot water and emergency backup. Maintenance of indoor air quality will be from a ground source air exchanger that is very efficient and will also allow dehumidification of the pool air. The first floor will house the pool. It will be a 25 meter, five lane pool and adjacent to it will be a 15 ft by 40 ft hydrotherapy pool that will be 94 degree temperature. It will face south with a seating area against the windowed south wall. Also on the first floor will be locker rooms, two racquet ball courts and various exercise machines. The bottom of the rock climbing wall will begin on the first floor and continue into the second floor. The second floor will be a public gathering area. There will be fitness center offices here, the walking track, game simulation machines, meeting rooms, health education and connection with the golf club dining room. The rock climbing wall will terminate here. A quite area wireless internet lounge on the south will provide an area for personal solitude or quite discussions. The proposed activities are all intended to provide good fitness and their wide variety will appeal to a large majority of our population. The following list is preliminary and can always be changed pending community input and availability of funds.
The location of the structure is within one city block of the Plentywood Public School, the Courthouse, the Pioneer Manor, the Hospital and Nursing Home and the major city park. This will allow future pathways connecting these facilities allowing a campus like atmosphere to the larger community and integration of all of these activities. It will build bridges between the healthcare community, the educational community and facilities that promote healthy lifestyles. Everyone wins when networking is made easier.
Lower Level
Upper Level
Poised For Success One of the most frequent comments we hear about the proposed fitness center is: there have been two recreation centers in Plentywood in the past and both of them closed. We now have less population so how can one now be viable? We see a number of differences between then and now: 1) The previous facilities were built with private funds and the investors expected to be paid back, rightfully so. However, recouping the capital costs means that usage fees must be more and this limits the membership because of affordability. The proposed facility will be built with donated funds and will not have any capital expense included in the ongoing costs. 2) The previous facilities were built with older technology that was energy inefficient and this caused operating costs to be high which makes them less financially viable. The proposed facility will be built with modern green technology that will allow dramatic savings in utility costs. 3) The other facilities tended to have limited activities which limited the pool of potential members. The proposed facility will have many proposed activities that will appeal to many more people increasing the potential number of members. 4) There has been much more publicity about the health benefits of fitness and more public awareness about the importance of fitness. People are ready for a facility that will improve their health. 5) The previous facilities were for recreation, this one is for health. 6) The previous facilities were user driven, this one will have at least one trained full-time employee to organize events and health education activities. 7) The previous facilities were geographically isolated. This facility is in close proximity to other activity and users.
This pamphlet lays out the need and plan for a community fitness center in Sheridan County. It would be an asset to our community and can be used by all of our population to improve their health. These projects do not evolve out of thin air. There is a process to them and this project is on its way. The corporate and legal structures have been setup and applied for. An architect and mechanical engineer have been consulted about the structure itself with favorable results. The next step in the structure will be getting soil samples to be sure that the building can be built there. The remaining hurdle is capital financing for the building. It is up to the public to support this structure since they are the beneficiaries of it. If you feel it is a good project and want to see it come to fruition, then support us with your ideas and your dollars. Think Positive and contribute what you can.
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