Valentine wellness center design concepts unveiled

VALENTINE, Neb. - People in Valentine could have an indoor walking track and more gym space in the future. Valentine city council members looked at potential design concepts for a new wellness center at their Thursday meeting.

Patrick Moore of Goodlife Architecture presented two design concepts for the facility, each featuring a prefabricated metal building located between the elementary and middle schools. The plans also include a parking lot with approximately 70 spaces.

Moore outlined the costs, estimating $7.6 million for a 27,000-square-foot version and $7.2 million for a smaller, 25,000-square-foot option. These figures cover only the building itself, with total costs—factoring in engineering, gym equipment, and furnishings—expected to land between $8.8 and $9.5 million.

Council members didn’t make a decision on whether to build the center, but they voted to pursue possible state funding through the Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act. The City will apply for the grant, which City Manager Shane Siewert said could provide approximately $5 to $6 million.

“It’s not committing to do it. It’s putting the application in, and if approved, could really help,” City Council President Kyle Arganbright said.

So what sets the larger concept apart? It features separate locker rooms for adults and children and a raised walking track above the basketball court, rather than at floor level.

“That way, if there’s a stray ball or someone diving for it, they won’t hit someone,” Moore said.

Arganbright said the land would be leased from the school, with the school potentially also cleaning the facility. Arganbright discussed the designs with the Valentine School Board Thursday morning. When school board members questioned Arganbright about the timeline, he anticipated 60 to 90 days to determine if the grant is approved. If the funding is available and the council approves the project, they could being bidding in the fall.