Dylan Maanum loads a barbell in the SouthPoint weight room. The new aquatics and fitness coordinator aims to bring high-quality equipment and programs to the New Ulm community. (Photo by Amy Zents)

NEW ULM – Dylan Maanum is the new recreation coordinator for aquatics and fitness at New Ulm Park and Recreation. He will work primarily out of the SouthPoint Recreation and Wellness Center.

Maanum started in the position recently. He and his fiancé chose New Ulm because it sits between their hometowns of Mountain Lake and Sauk Rapids.

“I grew up swimming competitively and lifting weights for sports and recreationally, so when the aquatics and fitness role for New Ulm opened, it was a no brainer for me to apply,” Maanum said.

Maanum said he is excited to help improve the city’s fitness and aquatics facilities and programs. A huge fan of exercise equipment for many years, he wants to bring world-class pieces he loves into the Rec Center for community use.

He has taken part in and led the Tuesday morning strength and stretch class. He called the selection of group fitness classes at the rec center impressive and said he wants to support all of them.

Maanum earned a bachelor’s degree in sport and recreation management from South Dakota State University. 

He previously provided personal and group fitness training at Rejuv Medical in Waite Park and worked in student activities at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. 

He became an all-state swimmer in high school after starting the sport in eighth grade.

Joey Schugel, director of New Ulm Park and Recreation, said the department hired Maanum after a process that included input from Cheryl Kormann, Ben Doeden and human resources.

Schugel said Maanum’s personality, passion for health and wellness, and aquatics experience made him a strong candidate.

“He brings a nice background for both aquatics and fitness,” Schugel said. “He’s been a competitive swimmer and involved in the fitness industry. With those skills and his personality to handle staff and operations, it will set us up for success.”

Maanum will lead aquatics and fitness operations. Lifeguards, swim lesson instructors and fitness instructors all report to him.

Schugel said the recreation coordinator position requires a lot of certifications and that Maanum is already doing a great job obtaining them. 

He added that Maanum has a willingness to try new things.

“If there are people out there looking for something or have ideas, encourage them to reach out to Dylan and see if that would be a fit for something we could offer the community,” Schugel said.

Maanum expressed similar goals.

“I am very excited to be a part of this community and to bring the highest quality exercise programs, equipment, environment and facilities to the City of New Ulm,” he said.

The position gives Maanum a direct role in daily aquatics and fitness programming. His background includes competitive swimming that began in eighth grade. 

After his freshman year, a coach recommended weight training in the off season. Maanum said he took that advice and never stopped.

He chose not to swim in college so he could focus on lifting and learning more about strength training. That decision shaped his career path through college and his later work in fitness training and student activities.

Schugel said the combination of Maanum’s aquatics experience, fitness knowledge and ability to manage people made him the right choice for the coordinator position.

Community members with ideas for new classes or programs can contact Maanum through the park and recreation department at SouthPoint Recreation and Wellness Center.