The City of West Des Moines and Des Moines University (DMU) announced a partnership today that makes DMU Clinic Physical Therapy the exclusive provider of physical therapy and athletic training services for the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex currently under construction at 6500 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines.
In July 2019, the city issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an organization to occupy the sports therapy space at the RecPlex. DMU was selected as a preferred provider because of its 121 years of service to the greater Des Moines region. DMU Clinic Physical Therapy, component of the University’s Department of Physical Therapy, has an established 30-year history of providing high quality, outcome-driven physical therapy, rehabilitation and sports performance services to patients of all ages.
West Des Moines City Manager Tom Hadden said the partnership between the city and DMU allows the new RecPlex to offer top-notch physical therapy services on-site during competitions and training. “DMU’s proposal was comprehensive and visionary, and we’re excited to offer a full suite of physical therapy and sports performance services, as well as expanded services and classes, for RecPlex users and the general public,” said Hadden.
DMU will brand the new space as “Des Moines University Clinic Physical Therapy and Sports Performance Center” (Center). Therapists and staff from the clinic will provide individualized assessment and treatment for specific sports-related pain or injury, movement analysis, injury prevention and performance enhancement. Individuals accessing the services of the sports performance center will work with expert physical therapists who have certifications in orthopedics, vestibular therapy and concussion management, pain management and women’s health. Additional specialty services, including balance enhancement, falls and injury recovery, orthopedics, and lymphedema and rehabilitation treatment for neurological conditions will also be accessible at the DMU Clinic at 3200 Grand Avenue. Although DMU will move to a new campus in West Des Moines, the current clinic location will remain to continue providing services to patients.
The RecPlex Physical Therapy and Sports Performance Center Space
The design of the center will feature a 2,000 square-foot gym conducive to supporting physical therapy services, group and individual training, community education and wellness programming. The space will also have two semi-private and two private treatment rooms, allowing DMU to meet the diverse therapy needs of patients seen at this location.
A conference room will be adjacent to the reception area to accommodate private conferences with families, athletes and coaches. The gym area will feature cardiovascular equipment, weight training, resistance training and balance equipment.
“As we plan to move our campus to West Des Moines, the timing of this opportunity to partner with an exceptional recreational facility creates a win-win situation for our institution and the city as a whole,” said Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., president and CEO of Des Moines University. “Providing these valuable services will allow us to demonstrate our vision to provide high-quality patient care and educational experiences dedicated to improving health and wellness.”
Scope of services
Physical therapy, athletic training and sports performance enhancement will be the focus of the Center. Certified athletic trainers will conduct strength, agility, injury prevention and sports performance programming for children and adults. Activities will be offered in one-on-one and group sessions and will focus on services for the general population of all ages as well as for athletes. Athletic trainers will be available during scheduled times for injury screening and may provide pre-game and practice training services such as taping, stretching and massage.
“We are excited to expand our broad range of physical therapy and athletic training services to the RecPlex facility in West Des Moines,” said Kari Smith, P.T., D.P.T., BCB-PMD, Physical Therapy Clinic manager. “This location will serve the general population including wellness screens, pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, injury management and sports performance enhancement. It will also provide educational opportunities to DMU students through clinical experiences and research within the community with workshops and clinics for special population-based injury and wellness concerns.”
About the Des Moines University Clinic – 3200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
The Des Moines University Clinic has been providing multi-specialty care to central Iowa at its current location since 1986. After the eventual campus move, the Clinic will remain to continue serving patients. It now features patient services in five specialty areas: family medicine, podiatric medicine and surgery, osteopathic manual medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and physical therapy. DMU Clinic specialists are more than just providers; they are researchers, mentors and teachers training tomorrow’s health care professionals.
About the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex
The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex will feature two ice hockey rinks with 2,100 spectator seats, 90,000 square feet of indoor turf, four indoor basketball courts, availability for eight volleyball courts, three outdoor turf soccer fields with room to add two more fields, locker rooms, 3,000 square feet of meeting space and 2,000 square feet of adaptive sports area.
The 60-acre project site is located along the south side of Grand Avenue and east of Jordan Creek Parkway just 2.3 miles south of Jordan Creek Town Center and 1.6 miles west of Interstate 35. The new $42 million facility is a direct result of a public private partnership that will blend individual and corporate donations, Hotel Motel tax funds and grant funding.
