While the Shorewood Community & Event Center (SCEC) has struggled to change its identity from “just for seniors”, a youth program has quietly and successfully used the center as its home base for over a decade. Who knew?
For 14 years Kelsey Vercruysse, Just for Kix Minnetonka Director, has been teaching youth dance classes at the center. “Fourteen years ago, SCEC gave us a place to begin our dance program. Since then, the staff has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of our dancers and families, helping make our program feel right at home” says Vercruysse. The classes have become so popular she rents out the facility 4 evenings per week and has more than 600 enrolled students ranging from pre-K to12th grade.
Now, Just for Kix is the largest paying customer for the SCEC accounting for more than 1/4th of its total annual revenues. In 2025, the city’s Park & Rec Director Mitchell Czech, was able to increase revenues by 20% over previous years but there still remains a revenue shortfall of $145k to support the facility. Shorewood’s city council recently approved hiring consulting firm ISG ($27k consulting contract) and appointed a 10 person task force (including Kelsey) to develop sales & marketing plans, and facility improvements that would boost community engagement and increase revenues to cover most, if not all, ongoing expenses.
Just for Kix is truly a community program that provides our children and grandchildren a positive environment where they can build confidence, friendships, and life skills while developing a love for dance. Whether a dancer is stepping into class for the first time or pursuing advanced opportunities, their goal is for every dancer to feel supported, challenged, and valued.
Just for Kix is a nationally recognized dance program in 12 states with 21,000 students who have performed at major sporting events and competitions throughout the country. Kick, Jazz, Hip Hop and Pom are just a few of the dance classes offering fun, growth and the opportunity for young dancers to thrive!
This program shows the possibilities of the SCEC, and proves it is not just for seniors.
https://www.justforkix.com/danceclasses/minnetonka-mn/
 | About Kelsey “Kelsey grew up in Plymouth, MN, where she began her dance journey at the Dance Shoppe and was a member of the Armstrong Falcon Dance Team throughout high school. After graduation, she continued dancing on the Southwest Minnesota State University Dance Team while also coaching for the Marshall Just For Kix program and the Marshall High School Dance Team. Following college, Kelsey earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas. During grad school, she stayed connected to her passion by coaching the Minnetonka High School Varsity Competition Team. Kelsey went on to start the Minnetonka Just For Kix program, combining her love of dance and youth mentorship. She has also coached the Minnetonka High School Fall Dance Team for over a decade, bringing years of experience, energy, and leadership to the program. |
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Just for Kix is a nationally recognized dance program in 12 states with 21,000 students who have performed at major sporting events and competitions throughout the country. Kick, Jazz, Hip Hop and Pom are just a few of the dance classes offering fun, growth and the opportunity for young dancers to thrive!
This program shows the possibilities of the SCEC, and proves it is not just for seniors.
https://www.justforkix.com/danceclasses/minnetonka-mn/
About Kelsey
“Kelsey grew up in Plymouth, MN, where she began her dance journey at the Dance Shoppe and was a member of the Armstrong Falcon Dance Team throughout high school. After graduation, she continued dancing on the Southwest Minnesota State University Dance Team while also coaching for the Marshall Just For Kix program and the Marshall High School Dance Team. Following college, Kelsey earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas. During grad school, she stayed connected to her passion by coaching the Minnetonka High School Varsity Competition Team. Kelsey went on to start the Minnetonka Just For Kix program, combining her love of dance and youth mentorship. She has also coached the Minnetonka High School Fall Dance Team for over a decade, bringing years of experience, energy, and leadership to the program.
