New Pendleton facilities aim to provide something for everyone

PENDLETON — Without the fanfare that would normally go with the opening of a facility of this type, the Klipsch-Card-developed Community Sports and Wellness Center is up, running and providing for the needs of members on its 123,000-square-foot campus.
In Falls Pointe Business Park, located at 395 S. Heritage Way, next to the South Madison Community School Corp. Administrative Building, the facility that provides everything from weight training, cardio equipment, tennis, gymnastics, child care and Starbuck’s Coffee opened its doors on Dec. 14.

The coronavirus pandemic may have contributed to delays in opening — which at one time was hoped for in spring 2020 and later planned for September — but it doesn’t seem to have slowed the interest of people wanting to belong to the multi-purpose venue.
“Reading industry reports and talking to other club owners about an overall decline in attendance, for us, opening up in the middle of it, I think people understand the benefit of health and movement,” said Jini Morgan, president of Community Sports and Wellness. “Without advertising, we have seen families and we have seen a steady growth over the past six weeks, which was surprising to me.”
Morgan added that the club has taken all necessary precautions during the pandemic to have a safe place for its members.
“Before we opened, we spent plenty of time studying data from the fitness industry, gymnastics industry, as well as Tennis United, watching all the common protocols. From the time you get in we require a mask and have (sanitation) stations everywhere. We have our group constantly sanitizing and after we close.
“Our instructors wear masks, and we ask everyone to mask until they get to their station and ask to clean down machines and then we go in behind them and clean them as well.”
As of Tuesday, Morgan said the center has 669 members.
She is hopeful later in the year to have more of a grand opening, at which representatives from Community Hospital, other partners and the community can be fully involved and take part.
The facility is multifaceted.
Along with traditional fitness equipment, the center has indoor tennis courts; gymnastics and ninja zones; a flex space for basketball, pickleball and volleyball; a cycling studio, and group exercise rooms (though classes have been moved to the basketball courts for social distancing) and other amenities.
It has a café that will soon be serving food and smoothies, along with Starbucks Coffee. It has a child care area and pro shop.
It also has partnered with Sensory City, a non-profit organization that helps individuals with sensory needs to access spaces and events. It helps serve those with autism, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, dementia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and more.
Though not fully operational because of pandemic protocol, Community Hospital has a 10,000-square-foot area for Rock Steady Boxing, a program that helps people with Parkinson’s disease; a diabetic education center and other nutrition classes; a physical therapy area, as well as office space for doctor visits.
Though member-based, Morgan said the center has been doing some open, free and low-cost drop-ins during the introduction period. They are also giving tours of the facility.
“Our goal is to give everyone a space and a place and make sure it’s safe and welcoming, to create a good experience when they are here,” Morgan added. “We have a great café, serving Starbucks Coffee, and we’ll be serving smoothies and food next week. They have created lounges and have great
Wi-Fi. We want people to feel comfortable, feel like this is their home where they can come and hang out, come and work and then workout.”
The facility is open seven days a week. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays; 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
To be a member, there is a one-time initiation fee of $39. After that, the rates are $49 per month for individuals, $79 per month for couples, and $99 per month for families. It gives access to everything but does not include some add-ons, such as tennis court time.
“We’re still on-boarding and training and tweaking what we want,” Morgan added. “Our main goal is member care. We want to see them and hear them and provide the type of experience they want.”
You can find more details on the new facility on the Community Sports and Wellness Center Facebook page and at communitysw.com, or by calling 765-744-1606.
The facility is one of three Klipsch-Card centers in the area, including the Pacers Athletic Center — which is basketball and volleyball specific — in Westfield’s Grand Park. There’s also Finch Creek Fieldhouse — which has indoor turf, batting cages and pitching mounds along with basketball and volleyball — in Noblesville.
Its offerings in Pendleton are different from other Klipsch-Card facilities, Morgan said.
“Everything you need under one roof.”