In his quest for a new activity center, Allen Community College President John Masterson has been thinking about different tactics that could build support.
Masterson said that the school needs support from every community in the county if they want to create something on a grand scale.
But how do you get a community like Humboldt ? a town that recently built a new rec center and has a new gym ? on board?
Despite the new center, members of the community believe there are still several features that could draw its residents to support ACC?s activity center..
Humboldt City Administrator Cole Herder believes a swimming pool that could be used for rehab by the hospital, and other amenities like a racquetball court would draw their support.
?I understand a swimming pool may not be feasible. Everyone wants one but I am not sure everyone knows the costs associated with maintenance and staffing. All those things add up,? Herder said. ?But even a small pool with a current would be beneficial for patients at the hospital and to those in the community.?
Herder said Humboldt residents continually ask about covering the pool, but said Humboldt doesn?t have the money for it.
?Honestly, I think there should be a town hall meeting, where all the communities come together. That?s going to be the most beneficial thing, because every town is different and has different needs,? Herder said. ?Growing up I didn?t need a gym. We worked on a farm and I considered that a workout. But when I was working in Chanute I played racquetball once and I got hooked. I was going in every morning before work at 6 a.m. It was great, they had showers so I could clean up and go straight to work. I never would have done that had it not been available.?
Callee Kaufman, who teaches home economics at the high school, and serves as a water aerobics instructor during the summers, believes there are several things that would benefit Humboldt if ACC were to build a new center.
?I think if they were to add a place where they served protein shakes and smoothies, that would be tremendous. Just a small nutrition center would be tremendous. I teach home economics, so I am always concerned about the nutrition aspect of working out. Sure, we have great places to workout here, but we have no place to go for the proper nutrition after those workouts. We are just kind of left hanging,? Kaufman said.
?Some more high-end treadmills and equipment, would be great if they went that route. An indoor pool would be great as well. Once summer ends, that is it for swimming. A place where people could continue their water aerobics throughout the year, would be nice. No one here offers any of that.?
Herder also thought a pool would help area high school athletic programs.
?It may not be a place that we could go to weekly or even monthly, but having the opportunity to incorporate it into workouts for the athletic teams could be great,? Herder said.
Kaufman also believes a facility with large open spaces for group workouts and activities would draw people in, saying ?it is just hard to find access to a lot of space.?
