Elkader Fitness Shows the Fitness of Ekader

ELKADER - A little rust shows on some of the old hand weights and mud can still occasionally gum up an elliptical machine. But, at Elkader Fitness, the Flood of 2008 is long gone as the operating non-profit organization provides a fine example of the community's overall fitness.

"I love it," says Jean Marie Hall, 72, an Elkader resident since 1976. "It's home. I love the water, the environment, the people. You can do things like this, starting from nothing."

The flood wiped out Turkey River Athletic Club, the community's private fitness center on south Main Street, leaving 50 members high and dry. The owner put the waterlogged equipment up for sale and left town.

In stepped Amy Holst who bought the equipment and stored it until she secured another location. It just happened to be in a cleaned up space next to the former center.

"We sat on the curb and washed weights," recalls Carolin Phippen, 65, treasurer of the Elkader Fitness board. "We were close to the fire station so they used fire hoses to wash the equipment."

Carolin also resumed her "Fit and Flex" classes at Bethany Lutheran Church.

By Nov. 1, a little more than four months after the flood, Elkader Fitness opened. But, being along that flooding Turkey River kept members on edge.

"The windows faced the river," says Jean Marie, an early board member. "Every time it rained, we looked out. ‘Oh my, when is it going to flood again?'"

While board members appreciated all the help received, they hoped for more space and security.

Up stepped Bill and Diane Erickson who operate a small engine repair business on High Street, on the high side of the river. The Quonset hut building above them, past home to Sears, a welding shop, a video store, was available. Would Elkader Fitness like to move in?

Board members gave a resounding "Yes." The Ericksons cleaned the space and moved some walls. Then club members and volunteers painted walls, installed new flooring including a hardwood exercise floor and moved the old equipment to the new place. Donations from all corners helped buy additional equipment. By the end of last summer, Elkader Fitness was home.

"It's because of the whole community coming together, not just one or two people, that we're here," says Sandy Refle, 70, who belongs with her husband, Dean, 75.

"She said, ‘I'm paying for a double membership and you have to go and get our money's worth,' " Dean laughs as he kicks off his shoes after sessions on an elliptical machine and treadmill.

The fitness center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week thanks to a coded lock entry system. It features everything from a large free-weight area to more than a dozen machines to that gym-like floor where a new large-screen television/DVD player plays exercise programs. It also offers a variety of classes.

"If we had to pay anybody we wouldn't make it," says Carolin. "But the fact it's volunteers, we can make it."

With 80 members, the fitness center is bigger than ever. And the fitness of Elkader has an even brighter future.

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