Sterling Park District upgrading, enlarging Westwood weights area, kids gym

STERLING – After undergoing several renovations more than 2 years ago, Westwood Fitness & Sports Center membership swelled to about 2,750 customers, up from 1,500.

Now more upgrades are in the works, including expanding the free weight area and moving – and improving – the kids gym and party rental space.

The kids gym was adjacent to the free weight area, but now work is being done to turn that 2,500-square-foot room into a bigger free weight area.

Eight new squat racks will be installed.

“We offer quite a bit of equipment, but we’re shy on squat racks,” Westwood manager Kel Bond said. “We’ve got three of them, and the three are busy pretty much all day long. Now we’re going to have 11.”

Some cable machines also will be moved into the new area, and part of a wall will be torn down to give it more of an open feel. The free weight area now will be shaped like an L, with the bottom part of the L being the new workout area.

“The biggest thing we don’t want to run into is ‘I don’t want to go into that area,’ so it’s not a separate area from what’s currently free weights,” Bond said. “It’s open and part of the facility, but it’s just around the corner from what’s visible from a treadmill.”

New flooring needs to be installed, the bottom 12 feet of the wall needs to be removed, and equipment that is on order has to be delivered before the new area is ready for use. That should be around late July or early August.

The cost for the renovation and new equipment is about $200,000.

The new kids room, for those ages 3 months to 12 years, is on the south side of the main building. It will have slides for toddlers and bigger kids, a rock climbing wall, an interactive light-up game called T-Wall, and pedal bikes with a purpose.

“When the televisions get put up on the wall, these bikes are hooked up to a PlayStation X-Box,” Bond said. “If you’re pedaling, your controller works. If you stop pedaling, the controller stops working. You can play video games, but you’re going to have to exercise while doing it.”

This 3,500-square-foot room, once part of a tennis court, crossfit room and storage area, will be ideal for kids to hang out while their parents are working out. There is also a bathroom, a kitchenette, and a separate entrance to the room, all good for birthday parties.

“We feel this will be way better for our patrons, for those who use it for child care, while they’re working out, as well as for parties,” Executive Director Larry Schuldt said.

The target date for this project to be complete is July 6, and it will cost about $300,000.

“My three kids at home are ready to be in here, and I know if mine are, there’s plenty of other people that are also ready for it,” Bond said.

“It’s going to be nice to give them an outlet and a place to be. There’s going to be days when it’s hot enough outside that you don’t want to go down a metal slide. You’re going to want to go down this slide in a nice, air-conditioned area.”

One project crossed off the park district’s list is Dogwood Acres. The dog park, which opened late last fall at 2301 12th Ave. on the north side of Thomas Park, has been a hit.

It consists of two plots of fenced-in land: a 1-acre space for smaller dogs, and a 3-acre space for bigger dogs. For now, it is free and open to all, but that will be changing.

Customers will need to buy a key fob for $20 at the Duis Center, 211 E. 23rd St., that will be good for 1 year. The fob system has a few kinks that need to be worked out, which is why it is not in operation yet.

Owners must show their animals have proper vaccinations, rabies especially, before they will be allowed to roam at the dog park. People food, dog treats, bones, tug toys, squeaky toys, glass containers, alcohol, smoking or vaping, and children younger than 8 are not allowed; children 8 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult; and owners are limited to 2 dogs each at a time. The space is not for professional dog trainers to use.

Go to www.sterlingparks.org and click on parks and trails for a complete list of rules.

The park will be open from sunrise to sunset, except for 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Fridays, when it will be closed for maintenance.

About 100 dog owners have signed up so far.

“I’m not a dog person myself, but I find myself going over there periodically as park director to see what’s happening,” Schuldt said. “It is pretty fun to watch the dogs and their interaction. Maybe you’ve got some dogs that don’t want to interact, but for the most part, they’re like a bunch of kids. If you get a bunch of kids that don’t know each other, and in 5 minutes they know each other, it’s kind of like the dogs. They’re running around and playing.

“The dog owners are all together and talking. It’s kind of cool.”

Westwood is also getting set to loosen its COVID restrictions. Customers who are fully vaccinated do not need to use face coverings, while those who are not vaccinated are asked to still wear masks. It is on the honor system – there will be no checking to see who has been vaccinated and who has not.

Starting Tuesday, Westwood employees who have been fully vaccinated will not need to wear face covering indoors.

“I’ve got hearing aids and I’ve got glasses,” Schuldt said. “Trying to put a face mask on and taking it off, on and off, my hearing aids, I’ve about lost them twice. It’s a pain. I hate to be selfishly talking, but it’s a pain, and I think our employees will enjoy taking it off.”