The Seward Wellness Center will comprehensively address a critical need in our community so we can enjoy happy, healthy lives.
As our population growth demonstrates, Seward, and Seward County, are increasingly recognized across Nebraska as a great place to live, work, and play, offering individuals and families great activities and amenities. We're an active community, from the golf course to the swimming pool, whether watching our children and grandchildren play baseball and softball, challenging our neighbors to a pick-up basketball game, volunteering for local causes, or walking the Plum Creek Trail.
Much of this activity occurs between late spring and early fall when our unpredictable Nebraska weather is a bit more predictable. Many of us become spectators rather than active-doers the rest of the year. This is due, in part, to the lack of a wellness center in town, which means either driving 30 minutes to another community or, more often, sitting there. It also means that our community may be less attractive to others looking to open businesses or move here. Whether seeking to be an active or attractive community, we’re not playing our best game.
It’s time to change that and play our best game! Thanks to the dogged vision of community leaders, the wisdom of our local officials, and, most of all, the generosity of our residents, this is about to change. The Seward Wellness Center will provide a comprehensive, modern facility for city and county residents to exercise, swim, play, and gather, bringing to reality an amenity that an increasing number of our residents, and prospective residents, want and look for in their community.
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On December 1, 2023, Seward Changing the Game, Inc. and the City of Seward announced that they have identified the final funding needed to construct the Seward Wellness center. Help is needed from Seward County residents, though, to receive the final funding.
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This funding opportunity, from an anonymous donor, requires an endowment to be established for the Wellness Center’s future needs before the gift will be received. The donor is also providing an incentive, however, with a $2 to $1 match. For every $2 contributed to the Wellness Center endowment, whether in gifts or written pledges, the donor will provide a $1 match in construction funding, up to $750,000.
So, $1,500,000 from our community for the Wellness Center endowment will result in the donor making a gift of $750,000 for construction, the final amount needed, completing construction funding.
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We invite you to make a gift or contribution of any amount to reach our project goals. As your gift is matched at 50%, a little can go a long ways! Make A Gift
LET’S PLAY OUR BEST GAME
Our community and county are doing well, but we’re not doing our best yet. The Seward Wellness Center will help us be our best, giving us the facility and programming to lead healthy, active lives and a wonderful amenity that ensures the momentum we’ve built together continues and even increases. The result? With your support, a vibrant and healthy community that we, and those who follow us, will be proud and grateful to call home.
The Plan
A group of community members with a passion for a wellness center in Seward was identified during the Active People Healthy Seward Summit and formed a committee. Working with city officials, they researched, planned, met, and developed the concept to get the project to where it is today, with renderings, funding commitments from state and local government, and more than $7 Million in gifts and donations from Seward County residents.
Addressing the Need
Completion of the Seward Wellness Center will allow the county to serve its residents better by offering:
An accessible ADA compliant facility to accommodate the fitness needs of everyone, including the elderly and physically challenged
A 6-lane indoor lap pool that can be used for aquatic and low impact cardio exercise, as well as lap swimming/swimming lessons year round
Two full-sized basketball courts that can also accommodate volleyball or pickleball
On-site childwatch area for those using the facility; and before/after school childcare
Exercise studios for group fitness classes
Strength and cardio equipment
A home for the Youth Center to provide a safe space for fun and fellowship for the kids in our community.
Multipurpose rooms for parties, meetings, and gatherings.
The Vision
To provide local health and wellness opportunities for the entire county. We offer a facility to promote an active lifestyle and contribute to the health and well-being of all ages.
Seward Wellness Center is dedicated to help the community achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle. We will provide a fun and supportive environment filled with options that promote healthy living principles in an educational and caring way executed with a positive attitude.
Meet Joel Brase the New Executive Director of the Wellness Center
In this episode we get to know Joel Brase, the new Executive Director of the Wellness Center. We discuss the plans and process that goes on behind the scenes in the initial stages of the Wellness Center project. We also dive into some of the design and layout and the future plans on construction and development of this new facility.
FAQs
Why does Seward need a wellness center?
The Active People Healthy Seward Summit (summer 2020) identified a wellness center with an indoor pool as its top priority
SCCDP has identified a wellness center as one of their top 5 priorities
During their strategic plan in 2018 Seward Public Schools lists focusing on mental and physical health of the staff and students as one of the initiatives
How big will the building be and what amenities does it contain?
Facility will be approximately 50,000 sq. ft.
2 competition basketball courts
6 lane indoor swimming pool
Indoor walking/jogging track
Youth center
Cardio and strength equipment
Exercise studios
Multipurpose rooms
Childwatch
Where will the Seward Wellness Center (SWC) be located?
The location will be immediately north of the Seward Middle School (on the north side of Waverly Road). The landowners are supportive of the project.
Located near the middle school
Proximity to trail
Within walking distance of all schools
Access to before and after school programs
Who will run the SWC?
The city of Seward will run the Seward Wellness Center.
Who will use the SWC?
This facility will have offering for all ages. Examples of what the SWC may offer:
Exercise classes in the pool and studios
Swimming lessons
Pool/room rental for gatherings and birthday parties
Access for teens and adults to exercise and cardio equipment
Full size basketball courts can be used for volleyball and pickleball
Walking track for all ages
How will the Wellness Center be constructed??
Construction of the Seward Wellness Center will be funded through a mix of donations, state grants, and local sales tax receipts. An endowment, funded through donations, will provide ongoing financial support. This is a $25 Million project to design, construct, and endow.
How are operating costs going to be paid?
The facility will charge a membership fee similar in structure to the YMCA. We will also generate revenue with a before and after school childcare program, swimming lessons, gym rentals, etc. The SWC will also host a few fundraisers.
What’s the anticipated timeline of the project?
Once $21.5 Million has been identified, construction will begin. The goal for completion of the project is June 2025, which construction starting in the fall of 2023.
Are there any plans for future expansions?
The design will be done so that in the future a 3rd full size basketball court and an indoor turf field could be added to the structure.
Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes. The Seward Changing the Game, INC is a 501©3 non-profit organization.
Who is Seward Changing the Game, Inc?
Seward Changing the Game, Inc was established in 2017 with a dedicated purpose: to serve as the fundraising powerhouse behind the Seward Wellness Center. Our unwavering commitment lies in securing the necessary private funds to bring this center to life in Seward. Since our inception, we have worked diligently alongside the City of Seward, playing a vital role in the meticulous planning and development of the Seward Wellness Center. We take immense pride in our collective efforts, as private gifts and pledges have already surpassed $7M. We humbly request your support in fulfilling our vision and achieving our goal of $3.5M more as we eagerly await the groundbreaking in early Fall 2023.
Who is part of the team at Seward Changing the Game, Inc?
Shane Baack – CFP® Jones Group, Financial Services Manager
Ryne Seaman – Cattle Bank & Trust Chairman of the Board, President & CEO
Max Wake – Jones Bank, President & CEO
Patricia Lindner – Retired CPA®
Dr. Jennifer Janousek – Concordia University, Professor of Health and Human Performance
Jana Hughes – State Senator, District 24 State Senator
Matt Stryson – Hughes Brothers, Plant Engineer
David Kumm – Concordia University, Executive VP CFO/COO
Cheryl Vajgrt – Medical Lab Tech, Women’s Clinic of Lincoln
Kris Beckler-Kocian – RW Beckler & Associates
Dr. Matt Dominy – Seward Public Schools, Director of Curriculum and Staff Development
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
SewardWellnessCenter@gmail.com
Address
Seward Changing the Game, Inc
c/o Aspyr Professional Grou
612 Seward St., Seward, NE 68434
Phone
(402) 750-1281