By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Humboldt, IA – The Humboldt Recreation Center is ready for year three following growth in year two.
The Humboldt Rec Center is starting year three of operations after working through the unprecedented challenges year two presented. Despite the challenged created by COVID-19 the facility’s management promotes positive growth.
Humboldt Recreation Director Paxton Petersen says the number of members has increased from year one to two and so has the facility’s offerings as well. New equipment has been added in both the weight room and cardio facility. Petersen says that this year they plan to add a new class room. This hopefully allows new classes such as kickboxing.
Addition growth includes a growing interest from outside parties to use the facility for events. Petersen says the surrounding communities are showing a growing interest. Larger communities like Des Moines are showing interest in using the facility to host youth events.
Recreational Manager Michelle Mann says the Rec Center offers a large amount of value to all community members. “Especially the elderly who are used to walking outside who can’t in the winter time” she says. The facility offers them a place to go when the sidewalks are icy or the temperatures are less than ideal. “And just the overall health value of the community as well” Mann says.
The hours for the Humboldt Rec Center can pretty much accommodate anyone’s schedule. Mann says they can get pretty much everyone in when it’s convenient for them, especially in the winter time.
Like every business, 2020 provided many challenges due to the pandemic. Petersen says the whole staff has been working hard to keep everyone healthy. One of the biggest challenges for the local rec center has been keep the equipment six feet apart per the requirements of the Governor Kim Reynolds’s proclamation. This has resulted in every other weight machine being blocked off to maintain that distance.
She says the staff is doing a lot of extra cleaning that has kept the staff very busy. Sporting events have been “a little bit more difficult” with having to follow mask regulations. “A lot more patrolling” the rec director says.
Despite the challenges the Humboldt Rec Center continue to operate. Both Petersen and Mann chalk that up to the strength of the community. Whether it’s through new or renewed memberships or simply donations the community has continued to support its local rec center.
If someone where interested in acquiring a Humboldt Rec Center membership they can stop by the facility across the road from the high school. They can also call the facility at (515)604-6494.