HNI Corporation Provides Early Support for New Regional Wellness Center

“Our mission with the HNI Charitable Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we do business,” said Jeff Lorenger, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of HNI Corporation. “HNI is proud to be a part of the local community through Kimball International, and we are excited to support the region with a project that will provide significant health and wellness benefits to both our members (employees) and the entire community.” Along with HNI, community leaders in Jasper and the region are stepping up to provide early financial support for the proposed new center. 

Mayor Dean Vonderheide today shared that over $6 million has been raised thus far in the early stages of a capital campaign. The mayor indicated that a successful capital campaign is a major component to the funding plan, in addition to securing available state funding resources such as the READI 2.0 grant. A local Food and Beverage Tax was also passed by City Council that is designated solely for the support of the new center. “This is one of the most significant and I think beneficial projects our City, and this region, has ever undertaken,” said Mayor Vonderheide. “In order to complete the full vision of this project, it will take leadership funding from both private and public sources.” 

The projected cost to complete the full vision for the center is $37 million. It will include an 8,000 sq. ft. fitness center, 4 full-court gymnasiums, 14,000 sq. ft. indoor aquatic center, indoor elevated walking track, 4 group exercise studios, and 5 community rooms including a community kitchen. In addition to HNI, other early leadership donors thus far include Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Kevin and Bev Buse Messmer, German American Bank, Dubois County, the Schwenk and Bawel families, Jim and Pat Thyen, Roger and Mickey Seger, Jasper Group, and Dr. Randy Norris, among many others. “We are very thankful HNI Corporation and Kimball International have joined other community leaders providing early support for our capital campaign,” commented Mike Steffe, Tri- County YMCA CEO. Information on supporting the capital campaign will be provided to the public in the late spring.