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Name: Mike DeWolf
Category: Former Rolfe student
Year: 1980
Contact: dewolf5@iowatelecom.net
Remote Name: 69.66.91.134
Date: February 14, 2006
Time: 06:30 PM
Helen, Thanks for the great job you did covering the events of the Rolfe Gym. I don't think the alumni, or residents of Rolfe could have asked for a better outcome. There will still be challenges ahead, but for now it appears that there will be more to move on what will be the use for that landmark. I still hope it can utilized for public use. I understand that some people feel it could be a drain on the community, however I believe if it's approached with a possitive attitude it could be a draw for the community. Robert F. Kennedy said, “There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?” These are some random thoughts I have had for possible uses for the gym. Make into a fitness and Rec. Center. Sell memberships Look for grants. Rent Lockers. Make plaque of benefactors. Get volunteers to donate repairs. Run Rec. Program through facility. Have adult basketball and volleyball leagues. Open up for morning walkers and children waiting for buses. Check into getting shuttle buses from nearby communities Sell snacks and drinks. Sell Cozies that say “Rolfe Rec.”(Could also be sold at other businesses in town). Get used Bow Flex, Treadmills, stationary bikes, and weight machines from 2nd Wind or get them donated. Place weight machines, Treadmills etc. on gym landing. Convert former Band room into Racket Ball courts. Have aerobic and martial art classes. Have other community classes. (such as arts and crafts, first aid) Work with school to use facility for Basketball games, practices, concerts, etc. Use former Vo Ag room as an arcade with Pool Table and Video Games. Rent out facility for events Utilize facility for Community Dinner Theater (The community of Rowan has been successful at this). Give former chorus room to a Community Theater group to use. See if The Lunch Wagon would be interested in catering Dinner Theater. (They could use former home ec. room) Make a Community Room that could be used free of charge by local organizations such as 4-H and the Lions Club. (former art room) Leave Trophy case and class pictures there. Do press releases for free advertising, use web sites, and channel 3. When young families (such as Generation X) are looking for a place live, something like a fitness and rec. center is very important to them. This would be an asset to the community just like golf course and swimming pool. It would not compete with existing businesses and in fact would probably bring more business to them. These ideas would benefit the whole community and not just one individaul. We can have input as to how long the community of Rolfe is going to live. The time to act is now before we lose any more businesses or families.