YMCA Announces Fundraising Goal for Community Campus Project
By: William Seay
Updated: February 2, 2013
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) It was a day of photo ops and handshakes at a big press conference at the St. Joseph family YMCA.
"Today we will make our community a healthier place to live, make our community more attractive to businesses and families who are considered relocating, grow economic development, and create valuable jobs right here in St. Joseph," said Y Board vice president Dick Sipe.
The YMCA's plan to build a new facility in St. Joseph's north end is closer to being a reality.
The Community Campus will be equal parts fitness facility, city park, and playground.
The Y Board says they expect the new facility will bring nearly 125 new jobs to St. Joseph.
Its construction will also carry a multimillion-dollar price tag.
"For things like this to develop in the community and resources shrink, you're going to have to see more and more public and private partnerships to make things like this happen," said Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner RT Turner.
Y Board president Paul Bainter says the fundraising campaign is a "community campaign."
"This campaign is about achieving the Y's strategic goals of assisting children and adults in living longer, healthier, and better lives. I call it a Community Campaign because it will only become a reality with the continued financial support of all members of the community," Bainter said.
The YMCA's campaign is aiming at raising 3.75 million dollars. They've already brought in more than 2 million.
The Y Board says $660,000 has already been invested in paying off debts for the downtown YMCA location, which is planned to stay open, and receive funds from the community campus.
"So we'll have to Y's working together and creating a synergy that will make both of them successful," Sipe said.
With eight acres of public land leased from Buchanan County, the YMCA hopes to break ground by this summer.
"Today we will make our community a healthier place to live, make our community more attractive to businesses and families who are considered relocating, grow economic development, and create valuable jobs right here in St. Joseph," said Y Board vice president Dick Sipe.
The YMCA's plan to build a new facility in St. Joseph's north end is closer to being a reality.
The Community Campus will be equal parts fitness facility, city park, and playground.
The Y Board says they expect the new facility will bring nearly 125 new jobs to St. Joseph.
Its construction will also carry a multimillion-dollar price tag.
"For things like this to develop in the community and resources shrink, you're going to have to see more and more public and private partnerships to make things like this happen," said Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner RT Turner.
Y Board president Paul Bainter says the fundraising campaign is a "community campaign."
"This campaign is about achieving the Y's strategic goals of assisting children and adults in living longer, healthier, and better lives. I call it a Community Campaign because it will only become a reality with the continued financial support of all members of the community," Bainter said.
The YMCA's campaign is aiming at raising 3.75 million dollars. They've already brought in more than 2 million.
The Y Board says $660,000 has already been invested in paying off debts for the downtown YMCA location, which is planned to stay open, and receive funds from the community campus.
"So we'll have to Y's working together and creating a synergy that will make both of them successful," Sipe said.
With eight acres of public land leased from Buchanan County, the YMCA hopes to break ground by this summer.
