Campaign to Raise Funds Ongoing for Proposed Prescott Valley YMCA

With more than $3 million raised and another $5 million in requests under consideration, the campaign to reach $17.5 million for the proposed YMCA in Prescott Valley continues. Another $10 million or so would allow for additional amenities and programs, campaign organizers said. Additional funds would allow for a $4 million swimming pool, $2.5 million gymnasium and $2 million for the airnasium (open-air gym), said campaign director Chris Sar.

The proposed location for the YMCA is within walking distance of Bradshaw High School, Glassford Hill Middle School and Yavapai College-PV.

Damon Olsen, Prescott YMCA CEO, said of the effort: “For years, it has been a priority to create a PV YMCA.”

Those interested in making a donation can visit the website or go to the YMCA office at 750 Whipple St. in Prescott for more information, Sar said.

More information also is available at www.prescottymca.org/prescottvalley or 928.445.7221, ext. 214.

Steve Bracety Named to Yavapai College Governing Board

Steve Bracety, a longtime Prescott resident and community leader, was sworn in as the newest member of the Yavapai College District Governing Board (YCDGB) by Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter.

Bracety officially began his term Jan. 1 and will represent District 5 through 2026. He was appointed following former board member Mitch Padilla’s resignation after Padilla’s election as Justice of the Peace in Prescott.

Bracety and his family have been Prescott residents for 18 years. He has served for years as vice president of operations and talent for the Grace Hospitality Group, which includes being general manager for the Prescott Resort and Conference Center.

Bracety said in accepting the appointment: “It is an honor to be appointed to represent District 5 in the Yavapai College District Governing Board. I believe strongly in the value of higher education and have a passion for public service. Yavapai College is critical for our communities’ growth. I look forward to serving on the governing board.”

He was chosen from among three candidates recommended from District 5, which includes Castle, Diamond Valley, Glassford, Groom Creek, Horseshoe, Lynx Creek, Mountain View, Prescott Valley 1/Navajo, Prescott Valley 2, Pronghorn View, Roundup, Superstition and Yavapai Hills.

Bracety earned a bachelor of science degree from Buffalo State College, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. He and his wife have a daughter who attends Northern Arizona University.

McCasland renamed to YCDGB

Returning to the five-member YC District Governing Board was Deb McCasland. She continues to represent District 2 after running unopposed in the

November general election. McCasland, current chair of the board, will serve through 2028.

The District Governing Board develops policies that control operations of the college, holds the college accountable for its operating procedures and monitors such processes as the budget.

More information about the Yavapai College Governing Board is online at www.yc.edu/v6/district-governing-board.

Senior Referral Network Begins New Organization in Prescott Area

Seeing a need to bring together various local organizations that serve diverse senior populations, Cecelia Jernegan, marketing, advertising and promotion director for Visiting Angels, Prescott, organized a firstever meeting of groups Jan. 10 to build what she calls the Senior Referral Network.

“We kicked off the new year by having a premiere event,” she said. “Our purpose is to bring together for the first time the many senior service professionals to create a comprehensive referral network for the greater area.”

She estimated that more than 40 people attended; organizations serving seniors from throughout Yavapai County were invited.

“We provided food and beverages. It was a great event, with music, raffles and a chance to meet new people and discover services and resources you may not have known were there,” Jernegan said.

She said the network is planning to meet the second Tuesday of every other month at different venues throughout the Quad City area.

“By turning this into a comprehensive organization, we believe we can provide people from throughout central and northern Arizona with exceptional resources they otherwise might not have known about,” Jernegan said.

Visiting Angels has resources available in Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Dewey, Sedona, Cottonwood Verde Valley, Show Low, Payson and most other small communities in northwest Arizona, She said it is part of a larger organization.

She said Visiting Angels of Northern Arizona has become a passion for her:

“Last year, it was ranked the top home care company in the nation.”

She anticipated that in time the new network could easily represent more than 100 caregivers from throughout the region.

For further details, visit www.seniorreferralnetwork.org or call 928.277.8788.

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