In a packed room at the Wapakoneta YMCA, CEO Josh Little announced a $2.7 million expansion project. The venture is in collaboration with Mercy Health, who already has a presence at the YMCA, and Head Start. It will be a 24,000 square foot expansion and will include a 5,000 square foot renovation.
"I think that health care over the last four to five years has changed dramatically and how we service those in our community," said Little. "The Y wanted to be at that table for how we could better serve our community through health care integration. So our vision for them was, instead of competing in a market, lets work together to serve people more effectively."
Dozens of changes are expected to the facility. Multiple spaces will be added for before and after school programs. Multipurpose and group exercise rooms will be added. On the way is an outdoor water park, two saunas, and an expanded hot tub. Not to mention a remodeled lobby with a rock climbing wall, cafe and fireplace. Head Start is gaining space to serve the community and focus on children’s developmental needs and Mercy Health will upgrade it's operations.
We’ll expand some of the services that we currently have, both here and at the YMCA and in the community," said Bob Baxter, president and CEO of Mercy Health. "It gives us an opportunity to bring those together and expand some of those in terms of breadth and depth. It also gives a chance to provide more services, clinic type services."
2.4 million of the total $2.7 million has already been raised. The YMCA has been raising funds since October and will continue efforts to May 1st to raise the last $300,000 they need. Little believes the impact of the facility will be felt throughout the community.
"First and foremost we’re going to serve more people and we’re going to serve them more effectively," Little said. "We have a lot of people in our community that say there’s nothing for them to do around the Lima region. Having grown up in Lima my entire life, there's a lot to do here. We have a lot of great people and this will offer just one more opportunity for them to get recreation to stay in our community, to eat in our local restaurants."
Completion is set for August 2019.
