If you're looking for a place to hold a children's birthday party, you might consider the Blaine County Recreation District's new fitness studio at the Community Campus in Hailey.
Parties are only one of the activities available at the studio. Martial arts are taught there and various other classes are being organized to help Wood River Valley residents stay physically fit.
The fitness studio, adjacent to the Recreation District gymnasium, is now open and is already being used for Sun Valley Tai Kwon Do classes. It was recently used for a major cheerleading competition.
"We had a very large cheerleader competition and they were able to use the fitness studio as a workout space and to move out into the gymnasium for the actual competition," said district Recreation Director Dave Keir. "Part of the benefit of the fitness studio is we have another decent-sized space where we can have activities."
Starting in January, College of Southern Idaho will use the studio for yoga, belly dancing and Tai Chi fitness classes.
The Recreation District rents the space out for birthday parties and other get-togethers at a rate of $100 for two hours. Extra hours are $25 each.
A "bounce house" and various gym toys and equipment can be set up for partygoers at additional cost.
Previously home to the Wood River Gymnastics Academy, the studio was taken over by the Recreation District after the academy relocated to Bellevue.
Recreation District Executive Director Jim Keating described the fitness studio as a partnership with the Blaine County School District, which owns the Community Campus and rents space to the district and other tenants.
"This is just another example of how the partnerships at the Community Campus complement each other," said Jim Lewis, school district superintendent. "The Recreation District has continually revitalized their space to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our community."
The fitness studio provides 2,200 square feet of space. More than half the space is matted for activities requiring rolling around on the floor.
In addition to the fitness studio, the Recreation District rents out the gymnasium for volleyball, indoor soccer, basketball and other sports, and has a separate youth center for pre-school activities and Wii video games.
"Our efforts and partnership with the School District represent a continued effort to recycle this building for the community and ensure more people can access affordable services in a great neighborhood location," Keating said.
For more information, or to rent Recreation District facilities, call 788-2117 or visit www.bcrd.org. The Community Campus is located in east Hailey at 1050 Fox Acres Rd.
Sun Valley Tae Kwon Do instructor Cliff Stern teaches martial arts students at the Blaine County Recreation District’s new fitness studio at the Community Campus in Hailey.
Photo by David N. Seelig
