The recreation center opened in 2018.
“We’re just so thankful that the community has just embraced Das Rec through and through,” said Michael Goodner, Das Rec’s membership and outreach supervisor.
Throughout its time in the community, Das Rec has flourished, but COVID-19 caused a dip in membership.
“We could only let so many people in the building; people were scared about what was going to happen,” Manager Stephanie Chelar said.
Luckily, Das Rec did not see the effects of COVID-19 for long.
“Our membership dropped to almost 7,000 members during that time, but it is back and full steam ahead, I would say. We’re getting close to 17,000 members at this point,” Chelar said.
Due to its significant increase in membership, Das Rec has also completed a number of renovations to the facility, including adding a turf workout space in the back of the facility and a Kinder Care area for children equipped with a shaded outdoor play area and other activities.
Das Rec offers a wide range of workout classes, including yoga, Pilates, high-intensity interval training and Zumba. The center also has free weights, cardio equipment and an indoor track.
Recreation Manager Stephanie Chelar said one of the biggest accomplishments has been being able to host swim teams on-site, such as Surge Aquatics, a USA competitive swim team and New Braunfels ISD’s swim team.
“We’re really proud that we’re one of the few facilities in New Braunfels that offers swim lessons year-round because New Braunfels is such a river town and a swimming town,” Goodner added.
Aside from renovations, Das Rec is looking to expand in other ways.
“We’re trying to expand the things that we can offer here to not just be fitness related but also kind of stimulate the mind as well,” Chelar said.
The center is looking to partner with a new organization called iCode to offer science, technology, engineering and math classes this summer.
The five-year anniversary celebration will be a two-day event beginning July 21 from 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and July 22 from 9 a.m.-noon. The event will have a variety of activities, food trucks, vendors and sponsorships with local businesses.
830-221-4170. www.dasrec.com
