YMCA Shares Plan For New Facility
The Kosciusko Community YMCA announced plans for the development of a new YMCA facility on U.S. 30 and Mariner Drive in Warsaw. Initial plans for the new Y include a health and wellness center, lap pool, instructional warm water pool, multi-purpose gathering spaces, a youth and teen center, a double gymnasium and outdoor space for day camp.
While the Y hopes to open the new facility in early 2015, the size, scope and timing of the new Y facility will ultimately be determined by the generosity of the community in support of this effort.
“Our community and the needs of our families have changed dramatically since the Y on Smith Street opened in 1965,” said Chad Zaucha, YMCA CEO. “We’ve undergone numerous renovations and expansions, but a new Y is needed to continue our community-building work for generations to come. Our vision is a welcoming, diverse gathering space that offers a one-stop destination for families and individuals of all ages and is fully accessible for people of all abilities.”
The K21 Health Foundation recently awarded the Kosciusko Community YMCA with a $2 Million lead gift toward the development of the new YMCA facility. The K21 Health Foundation grant marks the beginning of the first phase of a comprehensive fundraising effort that will include garnering support from individuals, businesses, collaborative partners and other foundations.
“We are honored and encouraged by this very generous gift from the K21 Health Foundation, ” said Zaucha. “The new Y will create opportunities for thousands more Kosciusko County children, adults and families to improve and maintain their health.”
“From Diabetes Prevention, to programs tailored for those new to exercise, and physically active children’s programs, the Y is a place for all ages and abilities to find support for a healthier lifestyle. Their impact on the residents of our county connects very closely to the mission of K21,” said Rich Haddad, President, K21 Health Foundation. “This new Y facility will benefit so many people in Kosciusko County. We believe a growing and vibrant Y is a ‘game changer’ for our community. We’ve made this significant grant to reflect how important this is for the future, and hope it inspires our community businesses and individuals to also support this in a big way.”
“In our values-based programs we promote health, family values and youth development. To continue accomplishing that mission, it became clear we needed a new YMCA facility for Kosciusko County,” said Zaucha. “We’ll be able to serve more kids after school, provide a gathering place for people from all walks of life to come together, offer seniors a place to stay physically and socially active, and provide a healthy environment for families to spend time together. The entire community can become stronger.”
In 2011, the Kosciusko Community YMCA served nearly 15,000 children and adults through membership and programs. No one is turned away due to inability to play, evidenced in the more than $143,000 in scholarships and financial assistance distributed last year alone.
“The support of the K21 Health Foundation shows us that many leaders in the community recognize the need for a new facility and have a vision to improve the quality of life in Kosciusko County,” said Zaucha. “We are so grateful for their continued support and investment in our future.”