First Board members named for wellness center; Search on for director

by Marianne Gasaway

The City has begun advertising for an executive director for the new Wellness Center and has named two of five board members to oversee its operation.

Monday night the Council unanimously approved Carrie Tysdahl as the city’s representative to the Wellness Center Board.  Tysdahl was one of five applicants interviewed for the board position by City Administrator Scott Flory and City Clerk Jennifer Larsen.  

Interested persons were invited, via social media, to apply for the four-year term on the board.  Flory said three men and two women were interviewed.  The application process included noting the applicants’ history of volunteerism, work or involvement with other groups and participation on like-boards.  Gender balance on the board was also a consideration, Flory added.

Tysdahl was the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 winner of the  Larry Luker Volunteer of the Year award.  She is employed by American Solutions for Business.  

“All five applicants were more than qualified to serve.  It was difficult to choose with so much good interest,” said Flory.  

In addition to an at-large member on the Board, the City’s other representative is an elected official.  Councilman Mark Ebeling was nominated and agreed to serve on the board

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The school district will also name an at-large and school-elected official to the board.  The fifth member will be a person agreed upon by both the City and School District.

Flory said he hopes to begin interviewing for the executive director position about May 1, with hopes of having a person in place by June 1.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in physical education, health and wellness, kinesiology/exercise science, recreation, sports management, exercise and nutritional sciences, or a closely related field with five years’ progressively responsible experience in large scale recreation or wellness centers.  

Estimated salary is $65,000 to $75,000 annually.

The executive director will provide leadership in the administration and day-to-day management of the wellness center, including wellness educational program and outreach services.  The position is responsible for administrative and financial management, as well as supervision and direction of all staff and services provided through the wellness center.  The person will work collaboratively with the Clear Lake Community School District regarding the field house area of the wellness center.

The Clear Lake Wellness Center is expected to be open by Dec. 1, 2021.  The $10 million facility is located south of the Clear Lake Middle and High Schools on 1st Avenue North and is jointly funded by the City of Clear Lake and Clear Lake School District.  The City is responsible for operation of the center, while the school district has funded the majority of the project and is overseeing its construction by Dean Snyder Construction, of Clear Lake.

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