In other news, Sanford Health plans to build a new center, which will be dedicated to helping athletes boost their performance. The center will be modeled on one built two years ago in Sioux Falls that cost $2.5 million but will be tailored to athletic needs in the Fargo-Moorhead market. The performance center will work with athletes of all skill levels. Programs will include speed strength, weight training and agility training.

By: Patrick Springer, INFORUM

 The Sanford “power bubble” is a 21,000-square-foot facility near the football stadium for the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. Special to The Forum

Sanford Health-MeritCare plans to build a new center in southwest Fargo dedicated to helping athletes boost their performance.

The center will be modeled on one built two years ago in Sioux Falls, S.D., that cost $2.5 million but will be tailored to athletic needs in the Fargo-Moorhead market, a Sanford Health-MeritCare executive said.

“We’ll customize that facility to what the needs are,” said Kevin Lampe, a Sanford Health-MeritCare vice president who oversees its orthopedic and sports medicine programs.

In a related matter, Sanford expects soon to have an agreement to provide sports medicine services for the North Dakota State University Bison, perhaps as early as this week.

Gene Taylor, NDSU’s athletic director, was traveling Friday afternoon and couldn’t be reached for comment on the talks or what the planned performance enhancement center could mean for Bison athletics.

Innovis Health has long provided team doctors and trainers for the Bison but recently announced that it would not provide those services after Wednesday in light of discussions taking place between NDSU and Sanford-MeritCare.

Through a spokeswoman, Innovis declined comment Friday on Sanford-MeritCare’s latest plans to expand its sports medicine and orthopedics services.

Demand for sports medicine services is strong in the area, given the multitude of teams fielded by NDSU, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Concordia College, and many high school programs, in addition to the area’s many serious amateur athletes, Lampe said.

The performance center will work with athletes of all skill levels. Programs will include speed strength, weight training and agility training.

Sanford Health-MeritCare is striving to develop an orthopedics and sports medicine program with a reputation that will attract athletes from around the country, he said.

Sanford’s National Institute for Athletic Health & Performance opened two years ago. It’s directed by Dr. Michael Bergeron, who is known for his research in exercise, heat stress and athletic health.

Research, in fact, will be an important part of the work done by the performance center, with athletes sometimes serving as research subjects.

Sanford Health-MeritCare – which will drop MeritCare from its name in July – plans to have a medical residency program in orthopedics in 10 or 12 years to help attract physicians specializing in orthopedics and sports medicine, Lampe said.

“You need to build the research base” to attract top specialists in the fields of orthopedics and sports medicine, he said.

Discussions between Sanford Health-MeritCare and Orthopaedic Associates, which are exploring a possible partnership, continue, Lampe said.

The performance athletics center is separate from the recently announced $12 million fitness and wellness center Sanford will build in partnership with the YMCA but also will be located at the Urban Plains development in southwest Fargo.

The new performance center got final approval last week from the health system’s local trustees and will proceed in the new fiscal year, which starts Thursday.

The exterior of the building likely will resemble the “power bubble” look of its Sioux Falls counterpart, a 21,000-square-foot facility near the football stadium for the University of Sioux Falls, although no designs have been drawn, Lampe said.

Details are being worked out in consultation with local athletic officials, but the facility’s activity areas will include artificial football turf, track lanes and a wooden basketball court floor for athletes to train on.

“I’d anticipate there’d be some hockey support we’d put in that facility,” Lampe said, noting the popularity of hockey in the Fargo-Moorhead region.

Sanford Health-MeritCare is not involved in talks for a possible indoor aquatics center or other community athletic facility, such as a soccer complex, but is interested in exploring partnerships, Lampe said.

“Our history is one of working with community groups,” he said, noting as an example that Sanford donated land in Sioux Falls for a junior football facility now under construction and has a sponsorship supporting youth soccer in that city.

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.