The construction of the new Altru Sports Complex in Grand Forks is not hindering the growth of Choice Health & Fitness, which continues to see a rise in membership and revenue. The Grand Forks Parks District has expressed confidence that the two facilities will coexist without significant overlap in services.
According to the Grand Forks Parks District Executive Director, George Hellyer, the goal is to ensure that the Altru Sports Complex operates differently from Choice Health & Fitness. “From day one, we wanted to be aware of how to fill gaps and not duplicate services,” Hellyer explained.
Opened in late 2012 at a cost of approximately $23.3 million, Choice Health & Fitness spans 160,000 square feet. The facility offers a variety of activities, including weight training, basketball, and swimming, and features both indoor and outdoor tennis courts that host significant events like high school state tournaments.
In contrast, the Altru Sports Complex, currently under construction along 42nd Street, will cover approximately 215,000 square feet and is projected to cost around $100 million. Funded by a 0.75% sales tax that was extended in a citywide vote in 2023, the complex will include a turf playing surface, pickleball courts, sports training areas, and an Olympic-sized pool.
Membership at Choice Health & Fitness has seen remarkable growth, with total revenue increasing from $1,653,086 in 2021 to $2,205,903 in 2025. Additionally, visits to the facility have risen from 317,669 in 2022 to 365,288 in 2025. Notably, memberships climbed from 4,470 in 2021 to over 5,000 in 2025. This growth sets Choice apart from the Altru Sports Complex, which will not operate on a membership basis.
Hellyer noted that the Altru Sports Complex will adopt a rental-based model similar to the city’s ice rinks. “Anyone can rent an ice sheet for an hour, and that is our same thought process with Altru Sports Complex,” he stated. Various sports clubs, including soccer, football, and lacrosse, will utilize the indoor turf facilities for their programming, with the Parks District managing the facility.
While both complexes will offer swimming facilities, there may be differences in access. Choice Health & Fitness provides swimming pool facilities to its members and daily guest passes, whereas Altru Sports Complex is expected to offer drop-in days or daily swim passes.
“We don’t want to steal memberships from Choice or the Y, and then they just go across the street to Altru Sports Complex,” Hellyer emphasized, referring to the YMCA, which partners with Choice Health & Fitness.
The consistent rise in memberships and revenue at Choice reflects the facility’s commitment to quality, requiring only routine maintenance. Recent improvements include a replastering of the pool, resurfacing of tennis courts, and the acquisition of new equipment. Hellyer remarked, “We’re always keeping the user in mind and keeping everything up to speed.”
Construction on the Altru Sports Complex is on track for completion by the summer of 2028, with the budget currently aligning with the projected $110 million cost, as reported by local sources. The future of sports and fitness in Grand Forks appears to be bright, with both facilities poised to enhance community offerings.
