Valley City (CSi) The operating cost of running the proposed Valley City Health, Wellness, and Physical Education Center is estimated at $812,729, with the first year operating revenue estimated at $836,389.

At the final meeting before the November 4, 2014 vote on whether to approve the facility, the consulting firm of ORB Management Corporation said the projected annual cost associated for personal expenses with the proposed facility is estimated at $462,229.

Valley City Barnes County Economic Development Director Jennifer Feist added that the estimates are conservative and she believes incoming revenues for operating the facility will be higher once it is up and running.

Valley City Park and Recreation board president Dick Gulmon says the Wellness Center would have a positive impact on the community.

Supporters of the project say the city can support both permanent flood protection another issue on the ballot, and the proposed Wellness Center. Gulmon added that it’s important for the city to support permanent flood protection to make both projects possible.

The proposed 62,000 square foot Wellness Center would be located east of the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse across 8th Avenue southwest.

The facility would be owned and operated with the Valley City Parks and Recreation Department with VCSU renting or leasing space from the park district for classroom space.

More money would be committed to the project from investors who are waiting to see if Valley City residents support the plan following a vote on two city measures in the November 4th election.

It expected that another $4 million dollars needs be raised through a community wide fund drive.

Measure Number 3 on the ballot….an Advisory Vote on the Wellness Center Sales Tax asks Valley City residents whether to use up to 17% of the existing 1/2 cent city sales tax used for economic development to support the proposed Wellness Center

For more information call the Valley City Parks & Recreation office at 845-3294, Valley City State University foundation office at 845-7203, Valley Development Group at 840-7820 or the Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation at 490-1596.