Plan includes expanded child care, developing a youth program

The Cheyenne County Community Center Foundation issued a press release today, September 7, outlining future plans in response to a recent survey on community needs.

The press release says the survey resulted in three focus areas: more early childhood services, more space to train, exercise and improve fitness with 24/7 access, and an indoor aquatic/sports complex.

The Foundation chose to focus on the first two: child care and youth services, and an improved fitness center with 24/7 access.

Community Center Director Michael Namuth explained when the redesign is completed, much of the current building will be used for child care, youth programs and the Congregate Meals.

"We have been doing some strategic planning for, basically over a year. Last spring, we engaged a consultant out of Florida. They came here and evaluated our facilities, did a community-wide survey. Through that survey, we had some focus areas that came out of the survey. Three of them were child care services, also additional space for training, athletic, fitness 24/7 access, and then also an indoor aquatic sports complex. Out of that survey, our board of directors decided to take some immediate action on the top two which were the child care services and the fitness. So we have purchased, or have a purchase agreement on the building at 1608 10th Avenue. We should close on that next week," Namuth said.

He said moving the fitness equipment will start soon after the building purchase.

"After we get that completed, we will start working on expanding our daycare into the east end of the community center. There's some logistics that need to be worked out as far as Congregate Meals and walking track memberships. We're going to keep the walking track open for our patrons that utilize it. The upstairs will be converted into daycare services, and also our meeting rooms and our lobby area," he said.