Wellness Center planning meeting in Chinook

Several community members have been getting together recently to discuss the possibility of bringing a Wellness/Community Center to the City of Chinook.

The group includes Jayne and Aaron Morrow, Stephanie and Andre Silva, Taylor and Alexa Nicholson, Nellie Jo Nicholson, Robert Smith, Shannan VanVoast, Dana Pyette, Celeste Elliot, Jami Britt, Jana Hauer, Barb Skoyen, Linda Paugh, Tammy Niederegger, Betty Billmayer and Tawna Richman.

The idea generated plenty of interest within the group and some very preliminary discussions as far as possible locations have taken place.

The next step will be to hold a public information gathering meeting, which is set to take place on Wednesday, November 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Blaine County Library Meeting Room.

"We were thinking people could have training or whatever, and rent a space to hold those activities to provide the income for the lights and the electricity and things like that, to make sure we are getting everything paid for," said Aaron Morrow.

"So, when you talk about bringing someone in there's actually a lot of folks in town with a lot of expertise. You know, people who can do personal training, or lifting and martial arts training. People could do aerobics classes, but they don't have a place to do it. They're doing it in the basement of a church or something. The benefit is that this expertise that we have got here, we could actually have a place to utilize it," Morrow went on to say.

Right now the group is taking it one step at a time and unless they land a huge grant or get a very generous donation the center will consist of a number of rooms with varying types of equipment that could be used by different groups. With that in mind the idea of the center including a basketball court is unlikely.

"The idea we are looking at would be that there would be some studios for say an aerobics class, or a martial arts class. A room where 10 to 20 people can get together," said Morrow.

Aerobics has been very popular through the years and the idea of a place to hold likewise activities as well seems to be gaining steam in the community.

"There are people who want to do that, they are just trying to find a place, a consistent place to meet. They could come in hold their class and then there could be space where they could meet and visit afterwards," added Morrow.

The way the center would be used would be entirely dependent on the community and what is determined to best fit the needs.

The group wants to include activities that go beyond just physical fitness.

Their used to be a real active Adult Education program in Chinook and the idea that a community wellness center should include the opportunity for those classes to have a home as well.

"There is also the social component, we talk about mental health and being able to have a place where people can just come in in the winter time and just get out of their shell, and come and meet and talk to folks. Obviously doing a class whether it's an aerobics or workout, or even cooking class, where they can just get together and have that connection in the community," concluded Morrow.

In addition the meeting will include guests on hand that will help those in attendance better understand the different avenues available to getting such a project off the ground, "The Montana Cooperative Development Center will come to that meeting as well, and will share some guidance and different grants that are available," said Jayne Morrow.

If a community wellness center such as this peaks your interest then please attend the information gathering meeting next Wednesday.