Well, it is that time of year again, cold snowy weather with slips and falls! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a safe warm place in Brookings for inside walking and related winter activities that keep the community healthier (physically and mentally). Fifth Street Gym seems to be a legitimate option to meet those needs. So, what can Fifth Street Gym provide?

Gym uses (three activity courts that can be repurposed for multiple activities as follows):

Three volleyball courts, three basketball courts, three tennis courts, three soccer courts, 10 basketball hoops, softball practice, playing catch (baseball – softball – football), up to nine pickleball courts, badminton, dodgeball, walking 10 times around the gym floor is about a mile, ultimate Frisbee, children’s activities, running sprints, aerobic workouts and dances. The building contains space for events (Senior & Special Olympics), and recreational leagues and tournaments including volleyball, basketball and pickleball with fold down spectator bleachers. The gym entrance states it can contain up to 1,700 people. The three courts have a divider curtain between them.

Facilities include:

Men's and women’s bathrooms, two drinking fountains, storage areas, electrical and janitorial rooms, three scoreboards, folding bleachers, benches the length of the gym (south and north sides), small basement for additional storage, three curtains for divisions across the gym, two main entrances, eight exit doors, close proximity to the building for winter drop-offs (easy in-out), county parking lot with exterior lights, existing heating system works but needs upgrading, inside lighting seems adequate.

The main gym floor is in good shape; however, the floor surface needs to be redone or replaced. (My belief is the floor surface is the main problem for gym recreational activities). The gym needs updating as previously mentioned in the Brookings Register (i.e., roof, bathroom, brick repair) but then again do not most facilities this old. In comparison to the buildings in this vicinity and downtown it is young.

Community building:

The Fifth Street Gym could become a great community asset if obtained by the city. Community uses could include:

(The main two entrances and gym dividers could act to isolate different building functions)

• Farmers Market on winter Saturdays.
• Arts/craft/book fairs
• Emergency center for citywide needs
• Heating or cooling centers in the winter or summer
• Taste of Brookings events.
• Downtown events for children
• Downtown holiday displays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July)
• Downtown concert events (Community Band etc.)
• Downtown health/business fairs

The building has the potential for wide use in the downtown community section (library, children’s museum, churches, senior-center, government buildings). When viewed as a community asset the cost for obtaining and fixing Fifth St. Gym deserves consideration by city factions.