Southern Prairie center welcomes new director

Southern Prairie Family Fitness Center’s new director Brianna Dillavou wants to create a community within a community.

“I want this place busy,” she said the day before she was still making preparation for the center’s golf outing on Friday at Crestmoor. “I want people to know we are here.” She started the position in late August.

Dillavou, 31, is leading the staff of 24, mostly part time, for the center to either be a destination or a routine for Creston-area people and the center’s members. She said her strategic goal focuses on three areas; wellness, aquatics and youth.

“I want to hit all stages of life,” she said.

She visions wellness as adults using the exercise equipment and the youth in various sporting events and attending daycamps. The center’s indoor pool is rare in Southwest Iowa. The pool is already being put to use with swim lessons, lifeguard training and SCUBA.

“This is a great place to socialize and be part of the community,” she said.

The center also reminds her of her own youth. As a graduate of Wasilla, Alaska, High School, much of her time was spent in a similar center there. “Remember, it gets dark earlier there and through much of the winter, so it was common to spend a lot of time indoors like at the center.”

In 2015, Dillavou earned a teaching degree from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville and has taught middle school and high school history in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Dillavou is not new to southern Iowa as her home is in Grant City, Missouri. Prior work included a grant-funded organization that assisted small-town libraries with various technology programs and training. She would assist libraries in places like Shenandoah, Red Oak and Lamoni. Because the organization’s funding was not renewed, she found other employment.

She wants those who use the Southern Prairie Family Fitness Center to have a positive experience during their stay.

“Any position like this is like running a household,” she said. “I want the staff to take care of the customers and I want to take care of them.”

To add to the community feel, the center is hosting a vendor fair from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. Vendor spaces are available.