The Iola-Scandinavia Fitness and Athletic Center has been bustling with activity, with swimming lessons nearly at full capacity and community programs seeing increased participation.

Swimming lessons, set to begin on Feb. 24, quickly filled up across almost all levels, showing high demand for the program. Additionally, a special session for home-schooled students is scheduled to begin in March, with morning classes available.

Community fitness classes led by instructor Cheryl continue to thrive, with strong attendance in MELT, water aerobics, and water therapy sessions. Participants have consistently praised these programs for their accessibility and health benefits.

The facility also celebrated a major improvement with the completion of its roof project, ensuring a safer and more comfortable environment for visitors. Alongside this, new blue flooring mats were installed throughout the main walkways to prevent slipping and cover cracks in the tiles, which had worsened due to recent freeze-thaw cycles. The mats have been well received, offering both safety and comfort for those using the center.

Another positive development has been the growing number of county programs utilizing the facility to support families. The Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) program for Waupaca and Portage counties recently began purchasing six-month pool memberships to help families with costs. Over 10 memberships have already been provided in the past few months, making a meaningful impact on the community.