Humboldt Recreation Center Grand Opening Dec. 22

The new 70,000 square foot Humboldt Recreation Center opened on Monday, Dec. 3. A Grand Opening celebration is planned for Saturday, Dec. 22, at 10 a.m. and the public is invited and encouraged to attend.
Located on Wildcat Road across from Humboldt High School, the beautiful facility was built by the Ken and Marilyn Nielsen family and donated to the city of Humboldt. Sande Construction of Humboldt was the general contractor on the project.
What are people saying about the facility?
“We are grateful for the generosity of the Nielsen family and their commitment to the community. The Humboldt Recreation Center will be another amenity that helps to retain and attract families to Humboldt. This gift will be enjoyed by young and old for many generations,” Jim Vermeer, member of the Humboldt City Council, said.
“The Humboldt Recreation Center is an immense asset to the Humboldt community. As we continue to develop programs and initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining quality workforce, the Humboldt Recreation Center will serve as a focal point for not only recruitment but youth retention as well. Amenities such as the Humboldt Recreation Center are what separates our community from others in terms of workforce, industrial and community growth. The Humboldt Recreation Center will help ensure the success of the Humboldt community for years to come,” Humboldt County Development Association Director Alissa O’Connor said.
“No town our size has anything close to this size of facility. We build across the state and this is the single biggest donated project we’ve done. We couldn’t have asked for better people to work with. We’re very thankful to the Nielsen family for this wonderful gift to the community,” Joel Armitage, President of Sande Construction, said.
“The gift is one of a kind. It puts Humboldt on the map for small communities in Iowa. No other facilities have a regulation indoor track. It’s the Nielsen family legacy for the community and we are all grateful,” Andy Newell, Humboldt Recreation Center manager, said.
Hours are Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Memberships are $50 per month for a family, $40 per month for a single, $25 per month for senior couple and $15 per month for a senior single. For $35 per month, members can access any and all classes offered. Two sizes of lockers are available to be rented by the month or year.
The facility features a 200 meter track, two full length basketball courts (with volleyball standards available), two pickle ball courts, weight room area, treadmills and other exercise equipment, two racquetball courts, batting cage room, yoga/dance studio, crossfit room, spin bike room, locker rooms with individual saunas and much more.
Childcare is available on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. while parent(s) work out. It is for children one or older.
Until paving gets completed, people should access the parking lot from the west entrance off of Wildcat Road. The main entrance to the facility is two sets of double doors in the middle of the south side.
Managing the facility is Andy Newell and the assistant supervisor is Paxton Petersen. Recreation Director Chris Shaner has moved his office from city hall to the new Recreation Center. They have hired more than 10 people to help staff the facility.
“It’s definitely going to open up a lot of new possibilities, both for new programs and for new ways for the youth and adults to experience our current programs. With two full size basketball courts, we have the potential to run several basketball games at one time. Indoor soccer would also benefit, as we used to only have the ability to play one at a time. The nets around both courts will be particularly beneficial during soccer. It will keep any stray balls from hitting spectators or those running on the track. Speaking of the track, along with the plans for at least two high school track meets, it will also provide the ability to run a youth rec running program during the colder months as well,” Recreation Director Chris Shaner said.
“The rec department has generally only had the ability to have two indoor adult sports each year. With this new facility, we will be able to have a racquetball league, pickle ball league, and we’d like to have a dodgeball tournament sometime this winter,” Shaner said.
A number of classes are being offered including kettlebell, spin, boot camp, yoga, and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). More plans will be added in the future. Sign up for classes can be done online at www.cityofhumboldt.org.
One of the rules of the facility is you must carry in your workout shoes and change into them. Another rule requires anyone sixth grade or below to be accompanied by an adult.
A complete handbook is available when people join.
Newell serves as the athletic trainer for the Humboldt school sporting events and plans to continue in that role for home events.
“I’m excited about the health benefits the Humboldt Recreation Center brings to the community. We want a healthy community,” Newell said.
Newell is also a coach for various classes offered the Rec Center.
Newell said the city has worked out some agreements with the Humboldt Community School District for practices.
“It’s a real benefit for the city and school,” Newell said.
There are a few things that will be completed in the spring, such as a sidewalk connector from Elmhurst Avenue, the overflow parking lot on the east side and landscaping.
The concession stand will be operated for special events, such as tournaments. The Humboldt Athletic Boosters have purchased some equipment for the concession stand.
For more information people can call the Humboldt Recreation Center at (515) 604-6494 or visit www.cityofhumboldt.org.