Hays Rec’s proposed addition could transform ‘cramped quarters’

Proposed location for HRC addition, 1100 block Canterbury.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

In just a few short years, the Hays Recreation Center’s wellness facility has boasted a steady membership of nearly 430 members and, according to staff, has already outgrown the 3,600-square-foot room crammed full of workout machines and weightlifting equipment.

HRC staff are hoping a proposed 12,042-square-foot addition will solve space issues, provide a walking track, increase sports and practice times and expand room for HRC leisure programs for seniors and children such as breakfast bingo, arts and crafts, tumbling classes and much more.

Architectual rendering of existing HRC building with addition to the left. — Architectural rendering of existing HRC building with addition to the right.

“We are all about providing quality of life for the community of Hays and it’s surrounding areas and this is just another way to look to improve that,” HRC Superintendent Roger Bixenman said. “When we started in 2011 with the wellness center we were a little skeptical, but it has done very well.”

He said the plan is to move the wellness center to the new building and provide separate rooms for cardio, aerobics classes and weightlifting, increasin “personal space” for patrons to work out .

The leisure program activities would be moved to the current wellness facility.

Bixenman said the proposed addition will be located at the lot just north of the HRC at 1100 Canterbury. The land was gifted to the HRC last year by the HRC Foundation.

Bixenman said architect has already has created a draft of the site plan. The next step is the bidding and Request for Proposal process scheduled to begin in June.

HRC patrons work-out Monday morning at current HRC wellness facility.

As wellness director Dave Quillen spoke from his closet sized office, he said feels their HRC patrons will welcome the new building.

‘We have pretty cramped quarters in here,” Quillen said. “We have been open for four years..and have really seen our memberships increase. I am excited to provide…something bigger to meet the needs of the memberships.”

When the construction bids come in June, HRC board members will then present the plans to the USD 489 Board of Education for approval.

“Our taxes are levied through the school district but (the proposed building would not effect the district’s) budget at all.”

Bixenman said they do not know how much the project will cost until construction bids are returned, but stressed taxes will not increase and HRC memberships will not go up either, adding the project would most likely be financed through a 20 year lease with a financial institution.

If all goes as planned Bixenman said construction on the new building would begin July 2015 and take about a year to complete.