A delay in surrounding bids on equipment and obtaining the actual type equipment required has delayed the official opening of the YMCA-Twin Lakes Wellness Center.

Last fall, the facility was expected to have been open by as early as December or January, but some glitches pertaining to the fitness equipment kept pushing the date back.

According to Pastor Bobby Grant, chairman of the Wellness Center Board, they are now aiming for an official grand opening of the new multi-million dollar facility in March. That is when Grant says contractors who received the equipment bids have to be finished with the delivery and installation.

“It’s been a hassle,” Grant said last week pertaining to the delays. “We’re waiting on the equipment right now,” he said.

Although some equipment has been delivered and installed, several other types are still to be delivered and set up. “We are going to fill it (Wellness Center) with everything it needs and it’s going to take time,” he added.

Grant said that although some of the equipment was in as of the middle of last week, other types of specialized equipment for the fitness facility had to be made to meet specifications called for in the funding process.

“We have to deal with the government (federal and state) because their money is funding the project and the funds have to be used as specified,” Grant noted.

He said the process has to go through the committee (Wellness Center Board), the Area Development District and fiscal court and noted the process takes time.

He added, however, that the new YMCA-Wellness Center project would be complete in about five years after it was initiated, which he said was about three years earlier than most projects of this type.

“It (Wellness Center) is going to be here and it won’t be none to soon for me,” Grant said.

Grant further noted that some of the equipment that will be installed in the fitness center could be purchased at state contract price, while other pieces of equipment had to be made and bid specifically to adhere to grant stipulations.

Grant also said they had hoped to have at least opened the swimming pool for use prior to the official opening of the entire facility itself. However, trained life guards have to be in place for that to happen and currently, the American Red Cross is giving life guarding classes to local residents. He said that as of last week, around 18 persons had signed up for that class.

Lisa Beard, who is chair of a committee dubbed the “Dream Team,” told the Clinton County News on Monday it was the committee’s task to contact local businesses and others to try and raise capital to make sure the building is “opened properly” until membership fees are able to sustain the day-to-day operations of the new facility.

Beard said the committee was currently actively seeking businesses, industries and others to donate to help raise enough money to get the facility up and running by the targeted opening period of mid-March.

Any business, industry, organization or individual who donates $1,000 or more will have their names placed inside the new Wellness Center in appreciation to that sponsorship and other rooms throughout the building can be named in honor of sponsors. Those who contribute $1,000 or more will also be recognized through the radio and newspaper.

A public gathering to give local residents another look into the new building will be held on Saturday, February 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

During that time, visitors will receive tours of the YMCA Wellness Center, inside and out, can receive information about the facility, including asking questions of those officials on hand. It will also include a membership drive where persons who wish to become members can sign up for either six-month or annual memberships.

Also available at the public tour will be information on job applications and ways to volunteer to work at the Wellness Center.

Beard noted the staffing process was still ongoing and being handled by a director who is handling that aspect of the project.

All local residents who have yet to see the new state-of-the art fitness facility is invited to the public information tours next Saturday, February 26 starting at 11 a.m.