FARGO - Sanford Health-MeritCare and the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties announced a partnership today to build a 78,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center in Fargo's Urban Plains development at 5225 31st Ave. S.
The project's $12 million cost will be split evenly between the two partners, according to a joint news release.
The facility will employ 25 to 30 people and is projected to serve 3,500 members.
"Fitness is clearly a key component of helping people stay healthy. By partnering with the YMCA, we are proud to be able to work together to inspire people to improve their quality of life. This will be one of the premier facilities of its kind in the region and serves the entire greater Fargo-Moorhead area," Dennis Millirons, president of MeritCare Medical Center, stated in the news release.
"It's all about partnership and doing what's best for the community," Paul Finstad, CEO of the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties, stated in the release. "I believe together with Sanford Health-MeritCare, the YMCA can build a facility focused on providing services for families and individuals who are seeking a healthier, more active lifestyle. Partnering with Sanford Health-MeritCare will also help the YMCA fulfill our mission of enhancing the spirit, mind and body of all persons in our community."
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Zerr Berg Architects of Fargo is designing the facility.
A groundbreaking will be held later this summer. The facility is expected to open in the fall of 2011.
The news release called the facility "an especially good fit" for Urban Plains, as plans for the neighborhood call for an active lifestyle community, including a 25-acre public park with a half-mile body of water, a boardwalk, sculpture, amphitheater, open green space for activity and over five miles of bike paths.
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
