SIDNEY - The Cheyenne County Community Center Foundation announced plans to target a new facility, bringing back together the fitness equipment and indoor walking track, a new full-sized basketball gym and an indoor pool. 

The vision of the new 60,000 square-foot building, which would be located near Sidney Regional Medical Center, was announced during the foundation's 19th annual fundraiser on Friday, April 5 at the Community Center. 

The foundation board conducted a comprehensive study of The Center's sports facility, working with a sports facility consultant in April 2023. The findings came back with a vision for an improved workout facility with 24-hour access, increased daycare capacity and an indoor aquatic therapy facility. 

The new 60,000 square-foot facility is phase-three of The Center's three-phase strategic plan, according to Board Member Jeff Smith. Smith says they're in "discovery mode" and the goal is to address the health and wellness of the community. 

"We're going to have to be patient and we're going to have to listen," Smith said. "The survey gave us some insight on what the community wants. We are taking action on that. We have a plan, at least a vision. This is doable, but it will take a lot of work."

The new Community Center building would also include meeting spaces and senior services. The indoor pool would serve as a tool for SRMC Physical Therapy patients. 

Phase one of the strategic plan was to move the fitness facility out of the Community Center, Director Michael Namuth told the crowd at the annual fundraiser. They acquired the building at 1608 10th Avenue (the former Family Dollar store building) in September, began construction on September 18th, and on January 29th they opened The Training Room.

Since opening the new 24-hour fitness center, membership has increased 25-percent. The usage of the fitness center is up 30-percent.

Director of Kid's Korner Tiffany Jones spoke to the phase-two portion of the update. Kid's Korner celebrated their 20th anniversary last summer. Since opening in 2003 they have expanded many times. Kid's Korner is an integrated preschool program and has been awarded a Step-Five achievement through the state of Nebraska. 

"We are the only preschool in the panhandle to achieve the Step Five achievement," Jones said. "Our teachers take 24 hours of educational units annually in the early childhood field."

They currently have 127 children between the ages of six weeks to five-years-old enrolled. They also have 45 children from the age of six to twelve years old in their after-school services. With an extensive waiting list that's ever growing, she sees a need for the facility to expand.

The Cool Kids Club after-school program will no longer be an option for families in the Sidney school district after the current school year. The Center's goal is to grow their child care services by 50-percent and take over the existing building, also offering older kids a safe place to go before and after school.

Namuth said when they opened Kid's Korner back in 2003, they occupied one room of the Center. They now occupy the whole west wing of the building. He attributes the growth to Jones' leadership and the people she has hired. Without childcare, it stifles people from going out and getting employment and helping economic development, according to Namuth. 

The Cheyenne County Community Center Foundation raised $50,000 during the fundraiser. Money was raised through donations, and live and silent auction items.