FARGO, N.D. – Sanford Health-MeritCare and the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties are announcing a unique partnership to expand health and fitness in rapidly growing southwest Fargo. A new 78,000 square foot comprehensive fitness and wellness center will be built in the Urban Plains Development. The facility will be located at 5225 31st Ave. S., Fargo. The facility will cost $12 million and is an equal 50/50 partnership. It will employ 25-30 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,” said Dennis Millirons, president, MeritCare Medical Center.

“It’s all about partnership and doing what’s best for the community,” said Paul Finstad, CEO of the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties. “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.”

Zerr Berg Architects, Fargo, is the firm designing the facility. A groundbreaking will be held later this summer. The facility is expected to open in the fall of 2011. This is an especially good fit as plans for the neighborhood call for an active lifestyle community. Including 25-acre public park which will include a half-mile body of water, a boardwalk, sculpture, amphitheater, open green space for activity and over five miles of bike paths.

Background:
• An independent feasibility study conducted in the summer of 2006 found that a new comprehensive recreational facility would generate 3,316-4,437 new memberships. A four-community (West Fargo, Fargo, Moorhead, Dilworth) metro study of community wellness needs conducted in 2005 recommended indoor fitness and exercise, as well as aquatic facilities. Based on the survey data, the facility should be located in the high-growth area south of Interstate 94 and west of Interstate 29.
• Both nonprofits had been looking to build a center in southwest Fargo, the power of two nonprofits pooling their money has created a facility that can provide more diverse services to more people at one time. The opportunity to work together is a very unique experience. It’s good for Fargo to see that two different businesses can come with different missions and work for the betterment of the community.
• When Sanford Health & MeritCare merged, a commitment was made to bring growth opportunities to the greater Fargo region. This is the first of many expected examples.
• The partnership will provide more fitness opportunities for individuals and families. It enables both organizations to expand their core belief in the value of health, wellness and fitness as part of building the complete individual.
• Of 2,686 YMCAs nationwide 1,148 are collaborations with hospitals. Many health care organizations across the country have successfully partnered with local YMCA’s. Sanford Health has existing partnerships with YMCA’s in Sioux Falls, S.D. and Worthington, Minn.
• Members will have the ease-of-mind knowing they have the backing of a high level of medical expertise including direct access to physical therapists, exercise specialists, doctors, and others.
• MeritCare has housed fitness centers open to the public for over 20 years. MeritCare will be closing and moving from its current 17,000 sq foot fitness center at MeritCare Southpointe, 2400 32nd Ave, Fargo. Moving will allow us to expand much needed space for orthopedic doctors to see patients at MeritCare Southpointe.
• Because this is an equal partnership, the new facility will be an independent non-profit organization. Memberships will be available to all community members. We are also working on a plan to grant limited access for existing YMCA members.
• Amenities include: Recreation pool, racquetball and basketball courts, cycling room, running/walking track (nine laps per mile), professionally-certified trainers, cardiovascular equipment, group exercise space, community education room, massage and weights.
• Short-term child care will be available while people are using the facility.
• Sanford Health currently has partnerships with YMCA’s in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Worthington, Minn. These partnerships have great synergy and help to promote a healthy community.
• Sanford Health-MeritCare has an ongoing contract with the Fargo Force to provide sports medicine services and our relationship with the Urban Plains Center has been very positive.
• The YMCA and Sanford-MeritCare are very excited and proud to be part of a great neighborhood very focused on wellness. There are plans in place to develop the surrounding area with a 25-acre public park which will include a half-mile body of water, a boardwalk, sculpture, amphitheater, open green space for activity and over five miles of bike paths. This facility will help to supplement that effort.

Information for the Media
A press conference will be held at the Urban Plains Center, 5225 31st Ave. S., Fargo at 9:30 a.m. Directions: (to avoid the construction zone on 45th St.) Take the Veterans Blvd exit of I-94 south to 32nd Ave.

Spokespeople:
Dennis Millirons, president, MeritCare Medical Center
Paul Finstad, CEO, YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties

Exterior architects renderings of the new facility – Download Image.
Map showing new location in the Urban Plain Development – Download Image.

The building itself is conducive to good work. Each service area is together so people can discuss ideas. They also have great meeting rooms and video conference access that allow employees to stay in touch with each other. Find out more at www.ulteig.com, 297-6587.

Economic Indicators March 2009.pdf

For additional information, please contact Brian Walters or Lisa Gulland-Nelson at 701.364.1900, or bwalters@gfmedc.com or lgnelson@gfmedc.com, respectively.

“In 1986, the first Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened in Arlington, Virginia. Now there are 550 locations all over the country.  Tuesday, March 30, was opening day here in Fargo. Five Guys has a massive following throughout the country and we finally get to experience it up here.

This isn’t your ordinary burger place or fast food joint. When I walked in to Five Guys, I was greeted with the sounds of sizzling burgers, potato bags stacked to my left about waist high, and a sea of workers behind the counter dressed in signature Five Guy red t-shirts.

I heard of a rumor that if you don’t order any fries the workers will break into song. I haven’t been a part of that experience yet. I’ll just continue to order fries to make sure that it doesn’t happen to me. So order at your own risk!

At FIVE GUYS, you get a mountain of hot fries and your choice of a thick juicy burger. Options are a single or double patty burger and a regular or large fry. The regular burger is made up of two patties and the little burger consists of one patty with all toppings free of charge. The toppings range from lettuce and pickle, to jalapeno peppers and hot sauce. Here is a fun fact about Five Guys; there are over 250,000 possible ways to order a burger.  You can also order up some hot dogs or grilled sandwiches.

I was satisfied with my visit to the brand new Five Guys, which is located on 45th street in Urban Plains.  The service was fast, workers polite, and the restaurant was clean. They are open from 11am till 10pm everyday of the week.”