The 45,000 square foot building features a fully equipment FITNESS CENTER, GYMNASIUM with CLIMBING WALL, aquatic center with a 6-lane LAP POOL, LEISURE POOL, & WHIRLPOOL, MEETING ROOMS with full kitchen, family/special needs LOCKER ROOM, & is attached to the Iola-Scandinavia Middle & High Schools.

Construction of the facility was completed in August 2001 and opened August 25, 2001 with much fanfare.  Since opening, memberships have remained steady, swimming lessons are very popular, and other programs such as dance and group exercise have been quite successful.

OVER THE TOP!!!

The Iola-Scandinavia Community Fitness and Aquatic Center fund drive climbed over the two million dollar mark this past week topping out at $2,050,000 as of this past Memorial Day. Cliff Mishler, calling from Alaska, said, "this is an exciting time for the Iola-Scandinavia communities and what a great way to show support for this outstanding facility. While the initial goal has been meet, we need to build up the endowment fund for future generations.

All donations are still welcome and needed." Fund drive treasurer, Jon Novak commented, "it is amazing how quickly the pledges and donations have added up over the past month. There are now over 500 donor units showing their financial support for the project." The fitness and aquatic center is in its final stages with the expected completion date being June 29th.

As of November 2000 the committee has 268 donor units pledging 1.625 million dollars. The goal is $2 million by the time the center opens in August 2001. Contributors will have their name put on one of ten boards that will be displayed in the lobby of the new center.

On November 2, 1999 the school district taxpayers approved a $7 million referendum for an elementary school addition, band room addition and a fitness and aquatic center. In addition a revenue cap exemption of $200,000 was approved to hire three teachers and maintenance of the new structures.

The total project was projected to cost $8 million dollars and therefore the fund raiser committee agreed to raise $1 million dollars to help the construction costs. In addition another million is trying to be raised to be put into an endowment fund so that the interest can be used to offset future operating costs.

The final cost of the project is expected to be $8.3 million with the overrun to be offset with interest earnings, district money and hopefully additional fund raising money.