Getting Williston Center back into shape

Minnetonka is preparing to renovate -- rather than replace -- Williston Center, the city-owned health club and recreation center.

Williston needs a new pool, renovated locker rooms, exterior painting, a more open fitness area and a new entrance, a staff report recommends.

The City Council has asked to see more detailed plans later this year. The facelift, estimated to cost $2.4 million, would start in 2010.

Minnetonka is in the health club business because Williston provides a place for youth recreation programs -- a service that residents expect and value, said City Council Member Brad Wiersum.

User fees pay for the building. "We are not spending tax dollars to run the club," Wiersum said.

A member of almost 40 percent of all Minnetonka households visited the Williston Center in the past year, largely because of youth programs.

The facility at 14509 Minnetonka Drive was a private club until the city bought it in 1995. Offering tennis, basketball, batting cages, swimming, fitness equipment and a large classroom for fitness classes, the building has decent but not fancy facilities, Wiersum said.

Without Williston, the city would have to find other space to provide recreation programs, and that would be an expense, he said.

"We looked at a new health club, which we decided was too expensive. We looked at a more complete renovation, which we thought was too expensive. But we thought we would do basic structural maintenance and enhance it a bit without spending too much money."

Of 2,021 members at the club last year, most -- 78 percent -- were Minnetonka residents, and about 34 percent are single adults.

Users can pay a daily rate and use the center by enrolling in city recreation classes. Annual memberships range from $275 a year for seniors who live in Minnetonka to $630 for Minnetonka families.

The condition of the pool is driving the decision to renovate, said Dave Johnson, parks and recreation director. It's not leaking, but it requires expensive annual maintenance and repair.

Williston has found a market niche because it offers more amenities than some other fitness centers at a cost significantly lower than commercial health clubs, Johnson said.

The club is not in competition with private clubs nor does it compete with other communities for patrons, Johnson said. St. Louis Park residents are permitted to use the facility at community rates. In return Minnetonka residents pay community rates at St. Louis Park's outdoor water park. Eden Prairie and Minnetonka also have an agreement giving each others' residents a special fee for swimming when their respective pools are down for repairs.

Eden Prairie's decision to expand and upgrade its community center off Eden Prairie Road had no bearing on Minnetonka's evaluation of Williston, Johnson said.

The Minnetonka City Council does not want to borrow money to make the improvements, Johnson said. The plan is to pay for the renovation with the interest generated by a $19 million endowment in the Community Investment Fund, Johnson said.

After it was purchased in 1995, Williston was brought up to code in 1997, in both cases with money from that fund, Johnson said.

Shady Oak Beach and the city's new public works building were also financed by the Community Investment Fund, he said.

Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711