BELLEVILLE, Wis. — Wellville Club & Courts is entering the operational phase of its development, with owner Akaylah Jaeke now hiring and training staff, finalizing programming and preparing for an opening by the end of 2026.

Jaeke said applications for the first round of hiring closed Tuesday after drawing a strong pool of candidates from Green and Dane counties, including high school students and some of her former students. Coach auditions are planned for later this week, and staff training will continue over the next few months.

The largest hiring push will be for coaches and personal trainers. Jaeke said she expects to hire roughly 12 to 15 coaches, depending on availability and scheduling. Those employees will lead strength and conditioning, yoga, dance, youth performance and sports development programs.

When asked what part of the construction process is most exciting, Jaeke was looking forward to opening the doors. “I don’t even care about the ribbon cutting," she said. "Let’s change some people’s lives, right? That’s what health and wellness is all about.”