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A new era in Otter weight lifting!
Mission of the project
Mission of the project
We want to provide students and athletes of KSS with a weight room that inspires them to reach their potential. This weight room will include racks that use the space we have efficiently. These racks will be able to house most of the lifts students/athletes do in their workouts. With the new room we've opened up space using the racks to evolve our workout programs and incorporate more athletic movements!
Why do we need new equipment?
Why do we need new equipment?
Our current weight room is approaching 20 years old with some of the machines being well over 30 yrs old. The space we have is adequate but the machines are run down and the room is very cluttered. We lack the open space and functionality to train today's students and athletes. Our current weight room lacks the necessary storage, space and functionality to utilize a variety of tools for training. See our current weight room below.
With our new planned weight room we can use sleds, bands, kettlebells, med balls, plyo boxes, and a variety of other things. It will allow us to provide multiple programing options to ALL of our students and athletes.
What could be!
What could be!
What equipment does this include?
18 rack stations with benches
3 Glute-Ham machines
3 Lat/Low pull machines
1 universal machine
Strip of green turf 15ft x 40ft
New floor with platform inlays so we have one level for easier access and getting around
2 new sets of dumbbells
Set of med balls, set of kettlebells, 3 sets of plyo boxes, multiple sets of bands, and 2 sleds to push/pull
What other Schools in the area have
Detroit Lakes High School
Detroit Lakes High School
Alexandria High School
Alexandria High School
Perham High School
Perham High School
Giving Levels
Project Total:
$250,000
Equipment- $164,000
Flooring and Installation- $68,000
Equipment installation and shipping- $12,000
New Otter Iron Wall (records), donor board, and signage- $3,500
2-75" LG TV's to show work out plan and current records- $2,500
Otter Level ($30,000 or more)
Name/Business Logo in the Primary Spot on the Weight room Wall Donor Board
Platinum Level ($20,000 to $29,999)
Name/Business Logo in the Second Spot on the Weight room Wall Donor Board
Gold Level ($5,000-$19,999)
Name or smaller business logo in the 3rd tier on the Weight room Wall Donor Board
Maroon Level ($2000-$4,999)
Name goes in the 4th tier of the Weight Room Wall Donor Board
Weight Plate Level ($500-$1,999)
Name goes on the 6th tier of the donor board
Barbell Level ($499 or less)
Name goes on the 7th tier of the donor board
Donors and companies if they choose, will have their picture taken, with a big check. We will then post these on our social media accounts to promote your business and thank you for giving.
The Advantages
State of the art facility that gives us an advantage in athletics.
Benefits of universal machines, open floor plan, and areas to maneuver for adaptive PE classes
New equipment and training methods to enhance a rich tradition of strength at Fergus Falls High School(Med Balls, Resistance Bands, Kettlebells, plyo boxes, sleds, etc.)
Major attraction for athletes wanting to stay in our building to train
Benefits for mental health of students and athletes(e.g., the Impact of Covid-19 on both physical and mental health)
The layout of the room provides more working space for large classes, teams, and groups.
Enhance and create a new and exciting culture that coaches, students, teachers, and athletes can rally behind.
Better facility to promote health and wellness for our students
Testimonials and Endorsements
Ellie Colbeck
Ellie Colbeck
(Minnesota Class 2A Player of the Year in 2022)
"The weight room was very important for my development as an athlete. It helped me improve my strength, speed, and agility which has allowed me to compete at the next level."
Haylie Zenner
Haylie Zenner
(4 time state champion in the 800)
Having access to a weight room at high school with adequate equipment really allowed me to excel in all my sports. I know for sure that I wouldn't have been as successful as I was in high school had I not had that access. This also set me up well for going further in my career as a division 1 college athlete.
Ainsley Hansen
Ainsley Hansen
(State Champion High Jumper)
The weight room has played an important role in my athletic career and I know I would not be competing at the college level without it. It has improved my strength, helped with injury prevention and increased my agility and speed.
Pete Campion
Pete Campion
(Wrestling state champion, former NFL player, and a PHD in Higher Education)
“The value of a quality weight room is well backed by research. Studies have show that they can decrease injuries, and increase individual athletic performance and team morale. However, the unseen benefits of having a free neutral space-associated with the school- where all students can go to develop themselves physically as well as mentally and emotionally are also salient.
Our family was able to make a name for ourselves because of Mr. Ratz and the Fergus Falls Weight Room. It is not about creating meatheads and winning state championships. The weight room was the first place I ever felt self-esteem and started believing I could make something of my life. This self-worth carried over into football and wrestling, and eventually all of the other areas in my life.”
Marshall King
Marshall King
(Current Concordia Cobber football captain)
The weight room has opened so many doors for me that would've never been available had I not been so lucky as to be introduced to lifting as a middle schooler. It taught me dedication, the importance of consistency and toughness on the hard days. Gave me confidence and taught me how to set and achieve goals. All of those things carried over and helped me mature and become a better person. Lifting transform more than just the body.
Donations
Donations
Gary Spies and Service Food- $30,000
Pemberton Law Firm- $20,000
VFW post 612- $5,000
Lake Region Healthcare- $5,000
Ottertail Coaches- $5,000
Minnesota Motors- $5,000
Qaulity Toyota- $5,000
Anonymous- $2,500
Ryan Hanson Homes- $2,500
MidMinnesota Federal Credit Union- $2500
Otter tail Power Company- $2,500
Eagles- $2,500
Nelson Auto- $2,500
Fergus Home & Hardware- $ 2,000
Richard and Susan Neal- $1,000
Randy and Tara Kempfer of Invision- $1,000
Jon Walvatne and Bell Bank- $1,000
Ameriprise Financial-Joe Branca/Chris Swanson- $550
Derek, Kaitlin, and Kinder Family- $550
American Federal Bank- $500
Rick and Becky Odden- $200
Swan Lake Resort- $100
Olsen Funeral Home- $100
Shawn and Angela Leitch- $100
Patriot Painting- Painting of the weight room
FIN161 amendment secured by Supintendant drake- $97,484.00
Total 194,584
Ready to invest in our students and athletes? To find out more about this project please contact Ike Carlson or Chris Grabowska. The 544 Education Foundation will be the fiscal host for our project so any donations will be made to a 501(c)(3). Checks can be sent and made out to 544 Education Foundation, 518 Friberg Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537. Please put the weight room in the memo line.
Ready to invest in our students and athletes? To find out more about this project please contact Ike Carlson or Chris Grabowska. The 544 Education Foundation will be the fiscal host for our project so any donations will be made to a 501(c)(3). Checks can be sent and made out to 544 Education Foundation, 518 Friberg Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537. Please put the weight room in the memo line.
Contact: icarlson@fergusotters.org
A phone number will be provided through email, as we try to limit robocalls
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