Avera Health Makes Significant Gift to Support Mount Marty College Fieldhouse Project and Improve Health for Yankton-Area Residents

Avera Health recently announced that it will contribute a significant gift to Mount Marty College (MMC) in support of the Ruth Donohoe First Dakota Fieldhouse project. Reflective of the long-standing, collaborative relationship between Avera and MMC, the gift supports construction and solidifies MMC’s intent for the facility to be a shared community space. Avera will use the space for the organization’s sports (strength and conditioning) programming and will relocate the Coach Rozy Performance Center to the fieldhouse.

“This collaboration creates an effect much bigger than MMC and Avera — the project truly impacts the entire community,” said Doug Ekeren, regional president and CEO of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. “Investing in the fieldhouse and the shared community space is another way we as Avera fulfill our mission to make a positive impact in the lives and health of the persons and communities we serve.”

Scheduled for completion in July 2020, construction of the $15 million, 100,000-square-foot fieldhouse is now underway. To be open to both MMC students and the Yankton community, the facility will include a 74,000-square-foot event space; a 200-meter, eight-lane track; a 7,500-square-foot weight training and fitness facility; and nearly 3,000 square feet dedicated to Avera Sports and Coach Rozy Total Training for Elevated Performance. Known for his work with professional and Olympic athletes from all over the world, trainer Mark Roozen, also known as Coach Rozy, will work with area athletes in the facility.

“We’re extremely grateful to Avera for their partnership as they share in our vision for the fieldhouse,” said MMC President Marc Long. “Avera’s holistic approach to care for the whole person — body, mind and spirit — syncs perfectly with our intention for the fieldhouse to improve the health and well-being of our students and of Yankton-area families and individuals of all ages.”

According to Ekeren, the opportunity to combine resources with MMC to construct the shared facility added to the project appeal for Avera.

“Our gift is a great example of resource stewardship because we’re not building two facilities — we’re bringing our resources to the table to invest in one amazing facility for the good of our community and the surrounding area,” he said.

Avera’s support of the Ruth Donohoe First Dakota Fieldhouse marks the organization’s second significant gift to MMC in two years. In October 2017, Avera contributed $1 million to the Avera Science and Nursing Center on MMC’s Yankton campus, and Avera also impacts MMC students’ futures each year through scholarship support. Through Avera’s roots with the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, MMC, Avera and the sisters’ history dates back to the sisters’ decades-long support of both education and health care and reveals complementary missions that have enhanced Yankton community life for many years.