GLADBROOK -- A lot of effort went into every little brick, bolt, cupboard and carpet square that makes up the room.

Soon, the time and sweat volunteers put into getting the new Gladbrook Fitness Center into tip-top shape can be focused instead on their own bodies.

The center, located along the south side of the Gladbrook-Reinbeck Middle School, is set to have its grand opening March 2, two months ahead of schedule. The progress has taken most residents by surprise. But the buzz has already started.

"They didn't think we were ready," said Mike Bearden, a former Gladbrook-Reinbeck school board member.

The plan for a fitness center was hatched two years ago as a way to augment the school's indoor swimming pool, Bearden said. The pool provided swimming for the Gladbrook-area during spring and summer times, but was barely breaking even.

"Most communities would do almost anything to have an indoor pool, so we'd hate to just throw it away like that," he said.

Bearden also sits on a board of city and school representatives that oversees the center's operations.

Superintendent Dennis Modlin said it'd be a "hard sell" to keep the pool open during an era of declining enrollment and shrinking budgets.

The center, which cost $548,000 to finish, is a joint effort between the school district and the city of Gladbrook. The school and city pitched in $100,000. A state Community and Attraction Grant paid for another $150,000 of the costs. The rest came from in-kind donations from businesses and residents, including more than 350 man-hours of labor.

"That's how you stretch the dollars," Bearden said.

Michael Huff Construction in Waterloo added the 25-by-90-foot addition onto the south side of the existing middle school walls, which saved money because rest rooms and other facilities didn't need to be included. That, along with a high-tech security system and handicap accessible entrances, was about the extent of outside help, though.

A veritable army of volunteers spent several long days and nights in the addition painting, installing HVAC systems and laying carpet.

"Its kind of nice that everyone involved in volunteering is familiar with their own little expertise," said Gladbrook Mayor Tim Hendricks.

Hendricks, an HVAC technician with Bergen Plumbing and Heating, helped install a gas line in the building. Chad Gauthier, who runs B & G Heating and Cooling, did the rest of the HVAC work.

Hendricks said having a facility like the fitness center should help make the community and school district more appealing to new families looking for new amenities. Oftentimes, people would have to drive to Marshalltown or Waterloo to work out.

Modlin said attendees can use the school's locker rooms to change. The rooms are being retrofitted for public use now that basketball season is over, he said. Eventually, the pool room will be renovated for winter use as well, he said.

The fitness center will have 17 pieces of equipment, which will arrive on Feb. 21. There will be no free weights in the center, though students will still have access the school's weight room.

All of the equipment will be oriented toward general fitness, Bearden said. That includes treadmills and elliptical machines for cardiovascular fitness and weight machines for toning and strength. A special machine will be used for rehabilitation for cardiac patients, he said.

Students will also benefit through the school's physical fitness program. Teachers plan to incorporate the equipment into a life fitness program that teaches students about the benefits of being in shape.

Residents will pay a monthly fee to use the equipment inside 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A membership drive will begin later on, Bearden said. For more information on membership or the fitness center, call Gladbrook city hall at (641) 473-2582.

Contact Josh Nelson at (319) 291-1565 or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com