The 71,000-square-foot recreation center is being built just north of the Humboldt High School on the other side of Wildcat Road.

It will provide Humboldt community members with a chance to improve their health and wellness year-round.

The addition was made possible by the Ken and Marilyn Nielsen family. The family is donating the spacious multi-million dollar facility to the city of Humboldt when construction is completed.

Sande Construction & Supply Co. Inc., of Humboldt, is the general contractor for the project.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Progress continutes on Humboldt’s new multimillion dollar recreation facility.

“Sande has been working diligently through the winter,” Travis Goedken, Humboldt city administrator, said. “We had a relatively mild start to the winter, so they had some cooperation from Mother Nature. They got a good jump and have kept on it. Things are progressing nicely.”

Workers are almost finished constructing the roof on the 348-foot-long structure, Goedken said.

He said windows could be installed this week.

“That will get it fully enclosed,” Goedken said. “Hopefully we get the frost out of the ground here soon. As soon as that frost is out they will pour the floor.”

He said that could be done within the next three weeks.

“As soon as the flooring gets done, inside walls will be going up,” Goedken said.

When complete, the space will include an indoor walking track, two basketball courts that can be configured into smaller basketball courts, batting cages, two racquetball courts, a weight room, cardio studio, small conference room, multiple offices, a kitchen, locker rooms, a CrossFit area, a spin studio, and a kid’s room.

The center will require a membership for use of the facilities, Goedken said.

The city intends to have a partnership with the Humboldt Community School District for use of the facilities.

The city will invest about $500,000 in extending utilities to the site, Goedken said.

At least one full-time employee will be hired to manage the new center.

Chris Shaner, the city’s recreation director, will also have an office there.

The Nielsen family will be eligible for state and federal tax deductions for the donation as well as some state incentives, but there will be no financial help from the city. Once it is turned over to the city there will be no taxes collected on it.

Backers have set up a fund through the Humboldt County Community Foundation through which people may donate for a tax deduction. The fund will ensure the long term sustainability of the structure and help purchase new equipment.

The existing West River Recreation Center, located at 808 18th St N., will close and be demolished when the new recreation center opens.

West River was built sometime in the 1970s.

That facility’s board has agreed to disband.

The weight room in the basement of city hall will likely be closed to the general public. Goedken said the basement could be used as storage.

Construction on the new recreation center is projected for completion in December.