Brule Activity Center - Brule Nebraska

Grant Progress
 

Please revisit for added information. We wish to list here the Brule Activity Center facility improvements to keep  everyone apprised of the progress of our grant writing and awards.
 

List of Proposed Improvements for Brule Activity Center

  • Erect the building addition

  • Complete the restroom upgrade

  • Finish the interior of the fitness room

  • Upgrade electrical throughout the building

  • Purchase the needed equipment for commercial kitchen

  • Purchase and install commercial ceiling fans in gym area

  • Fir out and finish exterior walls

  • Purchase additional exercise equipment for fitness room

  • Purchase and install new flooring in two meeting rooms and hallways

  • Upgrade security system

  • Central heat & A/C for activity/meeting room
     

Details of the proposed addition and improvements:

PROPOSED ADDITION
FUNDING USAGE:

  • Storage facility addition that will house: emergency shelter facility equipment (we are a Red Cross approved shelter), the supplies used for summer children’s theater, large exercise equipment for the gym (volleyball nets and ball cages), the tables and chairs that are available for banquet rentals, and the other equipment that is needed to run a large rental facility.

  • A 25’ x 37’ ground floor fitness facility. Currently we are using the stage of the former school gym for exercise memberships. Exercise equipment that has been donated by local residents available in the fitness facility include: Schwinn Airdyne stationary bike, treadmill, stair stepper, ab machine, resistance band weight bench, and Nordic Track machine.

  • Expansion of the current restroom facilities to meet ADA requirements.

  • Completion of overall energy efficiency improvements throughout the building.

  • Expand and upgrade exercise equipment available with membership (exercise bicycles, treadmills, weight machines, hand weights, resistance bands) to meet the needs of all citizens ages birth-90. See attached bid sheet.

 

Storage Facility Addition:

The last two years have seen an increase in the number of rentals that the Activity Center hosts. This is a wonderful improvement, but it also brings complications with it. The tables and chairs that are used for large functions are currently stored around the outside of the basketball court, down the hallway and up on the stage behind the curtains. When the facility is rented, the tables and chairs must be hauled to the gymnasium by hand to be set up; and then when the function is completed, all the items must be sorted and hauled back to the respective areas to be stored until the next function. This does pose a very potential physical harm. By having the tables and chairs stored around the basketball court all of the children and adults playing ball are put at risk. By handling each of the tables individually, down the hallway or off the stage, physical injuries are again a risk.

 

Exercise Room Upgrade – New equipment

A very important part of the BCCA’s vision is providing the opportunity for role modeling of parents through active family time. Encouraging families to develop long-term healthy lifestyles is something that affects everyone in our community from the preschoolers to the senior citizens.

Currently the gym stage is used as the exercise/fitness area. The planned expansion of the Activity Center will add a room on the ground floor level to house all of the exercise equipment needed to serve our entire population.

We currently have a small amount of used equipment that has been donated by members of the community. To better serve our demographics we would like to work with the local Physical Therapist, Athletic Trainer, and Respiratory Therapist to provide a place where all ages and physical fitness levels can benefit. Please see the attached list of proposed equipment. This list was bid by MedCo on April 2, 2008. The new equipment planned would allow all fitness levels to achieve a good strength training, cardiovascular and stretching workout. These items when coupled with instructional posters and personal instruction will allow us to greatly expand the number of individuals we are serving. There are currently two certified trainers who use or have access to the facility.

The other very important area of the exercise room will be the children’s area. This will be a safe place for small children to play and learn while their parents are in the same room completing a workout. The children’s area will feature balls, mats, age appropriate toys, children’s exercise videos, and eye-hand coordination games. As a mother of a four-year-old I know that having a safe place for my son is a major determining factor in whether I get to exercise or not. Again, reinforcing for our young people that exercise can be a fun, family activity.

 

Overall Energy Efficiency Improvements:

The long-term overall effect of this part of the expansion/remodel project will have far reaching effects. The energy usage in running the Activity Center will actually go down, making the facility more economical to operate. To date the BCCA has replaced the hot water heater, furnace, and all exterior doors. Two exterior walls have been firred out and insulated. These improvements have made a remarkable difference in the energy efficiency of the entire building.