New fitness center opens at Essentia Duluth Heritage Center

DULUTH, Minn. — A new fitness center is officially open at the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center.

A ribbon-cutting was held on Monday to celebrate the completion of the Nygaard/Forbort Fitness Center.

The 1,000 sq ft space has been reimagined as a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facility.

It was previously home to the Tim Cortes Studio West and was originally called the warming house.

Now, the space will be geared towards middle school and high school athletes.

“This still to me is the best youth hockey rink and the best high school hockey rink in the state. It’s a wonderful facility with a lot of character. I can’t wait to walk by here as early as tomorrow and see people using this facility,” Bob Nygaard of the Nygaard family said.

The fitness center was made possible by various foundations in Duluth.

As of now the facility will be utilized by athletic teams, with drop-in times for community members coming in the future.