Crews will soon dive in and break ground on a $65 million fitness and aquatics center in Elkhart. Two people close to the project outline the economic and local community benefits.
About the Project
COMING 2019… A Community Solution for Fitness, Aquatics and Community Gathering
This unprecedented community collaboration provides comprehensive health, fitness, swimming and community center solutions for Elkhart.
This proposed Elkhart Health Fitness Aquatics and Community Center will continue the current interest in downtown Elkhart redevelopment and has the potential to contribute to future population growth in our county by attracting urban-seeking Millennial, Gen Z youth, and seniors to our community.
This 170,000 square foot facility will serve the Elkhart community and surrounding areas and include:
- a state-of-the-art Beacon Health and Fitness Center focused on wellness and medical solutions
- a first-class regional aquatics center available to the public and will support Elkhart high school programs and regional competitive events
- a community center with flexible meeting space, gymnasium and learning kitchen for nutritional classes
The aquatics center will include a competition pool with diving well to support the Elkhart high school swimming programs and will host 8-16 regional competitions. It includes a recreational pool, a warm water therapy pool, and locker rooms for the high school programs and the public.
Aquatics Center includes:
- 25m x 66m competition pool with diving well; ten 8 ft wide x 50m training and competition lanes; two movable 6 ft bulkheads; 1m diving boards; two 2m diving boards, 3m and 5m diving platforms; 4.5 to 13 ft water depths
- 9.5 x 25 yd teaching, fitness and recreation pool with ramp access
- Elkhart General Hospital warm water therapy pool
- Second story observation deck with seating for 1,200 spectators
- Concession area for events
- Member locker rooms
- Dedicated high school locker room
- Athletic coach offices
- Outdoor terrace access
- Storage
The health center is an open two-story plan including an elevated running track circling over the gymnasiums. It will target 3,250 memberships by the third year of operations. Membership categories will be for individuals ($49/month), couples ($79/month) and families ($99/month).
Outdoor sports and fitness spaces will be available on the north side of the building facing the river.
Health Center includes:
- Beacon Health and Fitness Center with suspended running track
- Elkhart General Hospital therapy center
- Large exercise room
- Spinning exercise room
- Three multi-purpose exercise rooms
- Lobby and membership area
- Member drop-in child services
- Outdoor terrace access
- Offices and storage
- Elevator
The community center will be available to the public and will include a gymnasium, large outdoor terrace, and multiple, flexible meeting rooms.
Community Center includes:
- Open lobby with natural light and seating areas
- Two full-size gymnasiums
- Flexible meeting spaces with movable walls
- Outdoor terrace access
- Learning kitchen for nutritional and cooking classes
- Storage
Economic Impact for the Region
The following calculations are based on the development of a full event calendar by the third year of operation. We anticipate a ramp up of hosting events in the first and second years. The first year will achieve 65% of the full budget, and the second year will achieve 85% of the full budget.
TOTAL POTENTIAL ECONOMIC IMPACT: ANNUAL AND UPSIDE BID EVENTS
- Event Weekends: 20-21 weekends/year
- Attendees: 35,800/year
- Hotel Room Nights: 16,350/year
- Direct Spend: $2,950,000/year
- Total Economic Impact: $4,720,000/year
Job Creation
The entire Center will generate significant jobs, wages, and salaries in the community.
AQUATIC CENTER
- 3 full-time management positions
- 50-75 part-time lifeguard, staff, and instructor jobs
- $3,400,000 in salaries, wages, and benefits over the first five years
BEACON HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER
- Incremental jobs: Average 26-27 full-time equivalents
- $4,400,000 total estimated wages and salaries over first five years
COMMUNITY CENTER
- Preliminary estimates: 20-25 part-time positions
- $750,000 in wages and salaries over first five years of operation
TOTAL ESTIMATED JOB CREATION
- 7-8 full-time positions
- 100-125 part-time positions
- $9,500,000 in wages and salaries over first five years
Learn more about the Elkhart Health, Fitness, Aquatics & Community Center!