ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PLANNED AT WELLNESS CENTER

An anniversary celebration will be held this Friday to observe the 10th anniversary of the operation of the Smith Wellness Center at Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg.

Several dignitaries will be in attendance including Emmetsburg Mayor Myrna Heddinger; Dr. Dave Nixon, who led (along with Dr. Jim Coffey) the community fundraising effort; and, Jim Billings, the president of Iowa Lakes at that time.

The official day for the 10th anniversary is July 19. But, organizers decided to make it a weeklong celebration kicking off with a chamber coffee and open house on Friday, July 13. The open house/chamber coffee starts at 9:30 a.m. with refreshments and self-guided tours. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions. At 10 a.m. a short program will commemorate the anniversary.

In addition to the dignitaries listed earlier, the program will include Dr. Harold Prior, current college president; Nathan R.E. Clark, public library director; Brenda Colegrove, director of the college library; and, Deb Knight, assistant to the Wellness Center Director.

Friday starts the ball rolling on several give-aways.

The Wellness Center will offer free admission starting on Friday and continuing through Thursday, July 19. One ‘single membership’ to the Wellness Center will be given away each day through July 19. In addition, a free T-shirt will be given away each of the 93.5 hours the Wellness Center is open during the weeklong anniversary celebration. At the city and college library, refreshments will be served throughout the day on July 19.

The Smith Wellness Center/Library Complex was a cooperative effort of Iowa Lakes Community College, the City of Emmetsburg and area citizens. When it opened its doors in July of 1997, it was distinctive because of the partnership of a college and the city, not only providing a year-round swimming pool, but related exercise areas and a gym. In addition the collaboration of the city library and college library was considered unique.

An official opening ceremony was held in 1997 when Willard Scott came to Emmetsburg for a formal dedication and sit-down meal in a packed gymnasium.