Hundreds turn out for first look at The Warehouse

By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise

For years, area residents have expressed a need for another gym in Flandreau.
As hundreds streamed through the doors of The Warehouse for its open house this past Friday night, it was hard not to feel like that plea had finally become something tangible.
There was a nonstop flow of individuals and families stopping by to tour the new volunteer-driven facility at 400 S. Center Street, everyone expressing amazement at both the size of the space and the opportunities it will provide.
“We’ve had a great turnout. We didn’t know what to expect,” said Eric Beltman, a primary organizer behind the effort. “Twenty people or 200 people? We’ve had a lot of people sign up for memberships already tonight.”
Dozens of residents signed up on the spot for memberships, eager to begin using the facility’s weight room, which is available for $30 per month. Organizers also highlighted a growing list of classes that will be offered, including yoga, circuit training and other fitness opportunities, for an additional fee.
Visitors spent the evening exploring the building’s various features, including the turf area, basketball court, fitness equipment and upstairs loft space that will host many of the facility’s classes and programs.
“It looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Joe Parsley, who attended with his wife, Kelli, and their two children.
“Our kids are young and they get to grow up with something like this,” Kelli added. “I think it will be awesome.”
Recent Flandreau graduate Aly Schepel said she never imagined seeing a facility like The Warehouse in her town.
“I think this is a great way for the community to really get to know each other and come together through sports,” she said.
The facility is also expected to serve members of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Wellness Center. As the tribe moves forward with construction of its new wellness facility, memberships from the current center will be transitioned to The Warehouse over the next two years, helping ensure continued access to fitness and recreation opportunities during the buildout process.
For all who attended, the evening appeared to be more than just an open house. It was a glimpse of what years of volunteer effort, fundraising and community support can accomplish — and of a resource many hope will serve Flandreau and Moody County for years to come.
For more on the facility, membership, opportunities available, and how to sign up to use the spaces, log onto The Warehouse Flandreau’s Facebook page.