IMG_9198 2.jpgDarian Blattner
Executive Director

dblattner@nracentre.com
715-243-0851

A 27-year professional in the health and wellness industry, Darian Blattner is the 1st Executive Director of the Centre.  His career started in 1993 at the Eau Claire YMCA as a part-time youth sports and building supervisor while attending college at UW-Eau Claire.  In January 1994 he accepted a full-time position as the Youth, Sports, Fitness and Camp Director with the Chippewa Valley Family YMCA in Chippewa Falls.  During his time he started Camp Chip-a-Y-a day camp which is still in operation today.  In January 1997 an opportunity to move to Hudson to join the St. Paul YMCA system came about through the Youth, Teen and Child Care Director position.  Over a 12 year career with the St. Paul YMCA, Darian moved up the organization first as a Senior Program Director in 2000 to an Executive Director in 2003.  He worked with starting up the River Falls YMCA before coming to New Richmond in 2004.  He also had responsibility over the Osceola YMCA branch for a number of years.  When the YMCA left New Richmond in December 2003, Darian was hired to stay on as the Executive Director of the Centre.  Darian earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from UW-Eau Claire while also playing on the baseball team for four years. 

Colleen.JPGColleen Davis
Member Development Director

cdavis@nracentre.com
715-243-0852

Colleen Davis has been with the Centre since April 2013, beginning as a part time staff member at the Welcome Center.  Seven months later, the Communications Coordinator position opened up and she knew that was the job for her.  With a BS in Graphic Design from UW-Eau Claire, she would be able to put her degree and passion to work again.  Eleven month into the Communications Coordinator position, she jumped at the chance to be a full time Communications Manager and landing currently as the Member Development Director.  She has enjoyed working with program staff to create marketing collateral, developing communications to members, and designing promotions.  Flyers, fundraising campaign materials, promotional offers, PSAs, bulk mailings, newsletters, social media, and the website are all tucked in her back pocket.  Prior to working at the Centre, Colleen worked for 10 years at KRM, a professional webinar event management company, while in college and after graduation.  Those 10 years were broken up by a short period of time working at The Hartford before being asked to work again for KRM.  However, between then and now, she was a stay at home mom.

Dave Rummel.jpgDave Rummel
Properties Manager

drummel@nracentre.com
715-243-0855

Dave is looking forward to the challenge of managing the facility because “it’s a vital hub of life in New Richmond”.  He said this job will give him “an opportunity to work in my hometown and be a part of the community.”  Being that New Richmond is Dave’s hometown, he is eager for the chance to connect with new residents he has not yet had the opportunity to meet.

Dave and his wife, Roxanne, have lived in New Richmond most of their lives and worked in and around St Croix county most of his life.  Dave brings 40 years carpentry experience and 10 years home inspection experience to the Centre.

Connie (2).JPGConnie Nelson
Member Experience Manager

cnelson@nracentre.com
715-246-2252

Connie grew up in New Richmond and, after having a full-time job with the New Richmond School District for over 20 years, joined the Centre part-time in June of 2014. Working and building relationships with the members is one of the things she enjoys most about her job, and she is happy to be one of the smiling faces that greets you at the Welcome Center. In 2021, Connie was asked to help out in the business department and has been enjoying that as well, and when the opportunity arose to become the Membership Experience Manager, she couldn't pass up the chance. It was like a dream come true, and she realized that the Centre is home. She loves the Centre like she loves her hometown, and she sees the Centre as a vital component to New Richmond’s physical and social well-being. When Connie isn't at the Centre she enjoys going to church, spending time with her two grown sons, and her time spent with friends.  

Sarah (3).JPGSarah Reas
Business Manager

sreas@nracentre.com
715-243-0848

The Centre journey began for Sarah Reas when she first joined as a member in 2009 when she introduced her daughter to the pool, sharing her passion for being in the water. In 2012, Sarah joined the Welcome Center team, working part time during a life transition and while going back to college. She absolutely loved greeting and helping folks as they entered the Centre, striving for excellent customer service and finding mutually positive solutions when needed. "People who come to the Centre want to be here to better themselves, have fun, socialize, and find connections. It is always a great day at the Centre!"

Sarah has always appreciated the community ties and friendly atmosphere the Centre offers. She worked at the Welcome Center for 6 years while attending WITC, now Northwood Technical College, to obtain her Associates Degree in Accounting and then obtaining her Bachelors Degree in Accounting in 2018 from UW-River Falls. She was active at the campuses, participating in clubs, Student Senate, and tutoring others for several business courses. She is most proud of how she achieved her degrees while raising her two young daughters.

In 2022, Sarah rejoined the Centre as the Business Manager. From her past experience, Sarah has a strong business and banking industry background. Community and connections are important to her and she strives to be involved. In her free time, she likes to read, sketch, help others, spend time with family and friends, and cheer on her kids during their sports. Sarah and her family, including their dog Bailey, enjoy camping, hiking, volleyball, and swimming together.

 

Sara Rogers
Fitness Manager

srogers@nracentre.com
715-243-0854

Sara Rogers joined the Centre team as a Group Exercise instructor in 2015 and now she will expand her unique holistic approach to wellness as our Fitness and Sports Manager.

Sara blends fitness, habit-building, and nutrition focus to empower members in their overall health. Her background as an ultra runner is evident in her resilience and determination, qualities she imparts in her training. Sara’s qualifications include being a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and holding certifications in TRX, Boot Camp, Yoga Sculpt, and LesMills BodyAttack.

Before joining us full time, Sara dedicated 14 years to the School District of New Richmond, transitioning from payroll to Community Education, where she developed impactful programs and community relationships.

Sara’s life outside the Centre is as active as her professional one. You may see her running in town or along the trails at Willow River State Park with her husband. She also values time spent with her children and extended family. Sara exemplifies the balance of professional knowledge and personal health, inspiring both members and teammates alike, making her a valued member of our wellness community.

Connie Watters
Aquatics Manager

cwatters@nracentre.com
715-243-0850

Connie Watters joined the Centre in 2024 as the Aquatics Manager. Connie is extremely passionate about aquatics and looks forward to bringing her expertise and experience to the Centre.

Connie began her career in aquatics in Charleston, SC at the age of 15.  She has thrived in roles from lifeguard, to swim lesson instructor, to assistant pool manager, to swim team coach.  She most recently coached the Powdersville High School swim team (Powdersville SC) to their only 2 Regional Championships in school history, and was named Coach of the Year for Region 2-AAA for the last two years.  She has also served as the Head Swim Team Coach at the Powdersville YMCA, where she has developed strokes and fundamentals of novice swimmers and led more experienced swimmers to the YMCA Regional Championships.  While serving as Aquatics Director, she expanded the free second grade swim lesson program from serving 4 to 7 schools in the district, which helped teach more children in the community how to be safe around water.  

In her role as Aquatics Manager, she plans to expand and improve existing programs, and create new and exciting programs to reach more people in the community, while promoting the mission of the Centre.

When Connie is not working, she enjoys attending baseball games (Go Brewers!), traveling, and spending time with her husband, Phil, and 3 children, Mary (13), Cecilia (11), and Thomas (10).

 
 

Facility Hours:

  May - September October - April
Monday - Friday 4:45 AM - 8:00 PM 4:45 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday      6:00 AM - 6:00 PM      6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
     
Program areas close 15 minutes prior to the Centre closing.

 

Contact Us:

425 E 5th St
New Richmond WI 54017
715-246-2252

 


Thank You to Our Platinum Sponsors

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