YMCA seeks to pool money for repairs

Jaiden Herald | Co-Editor-in-Chief

For the last 26 years, the Scott County Family YMCA has served thousands of members of the community.

The Y serves preschool, school age, families and seniors with a variety of social and physical activities,” CEO Gary Hubbard said.

The YMCA has been an integral component of the community as it not only serves as an exercise facility, but it also offers various programs including an after school program, summer camp, trunk or treat, Easter egg hunts, Healthy Kids Days, back to school events and youth sports.

According to YMCA employee Chrissie Deaton, the Y plays a significant role in the lives of Scott County children.

“For some, it’s a place to play a game of basketball with friends [or], it’s a safe place to hang out after school and work on homework until parents get off work. During the summer, we become a place where kids under 18 can come and have lunch absolutely free Monday through Friday,” Deaton said.

In recent months, the Scott County YMCA has fallen under financial distress stemming from subsidized memberships, costs associated with the pool closure and decreased memberships.

“When the pool closed immediate action was taken by Y leaders to perform their due diligence in securing structural engineering and architectural counsel to determine possible solutions. Those costs were not anticipated or budgeted and were high. Additionally, as a result of the pool closure the Y lost some members, which cut income dollars. Unfortunately, some unsubstantiated rumors spread which caused an additional drop in membership,” Hubbard said.

In December, Hubbard and the YMCA staff sent out a letter asking the community for financial assistance. The letter detailed that the Y has a current goal to raise $40,000 by March 1.

“The recent letter sent out stressed urgency, but the fundraising effort is common to every YMCA in the nation. Because the YMCA is a 501c3 (not-for-profit organization) an annual campaign is conducted each year to raise funds to grow and sustain itself,” Hubbard said.

All YMCAs are not-for-profit organizations that must be self-sustaining. According to Hubbard, YMCAs receive the bulk of their funding from memberships, grants, local businesses and individual donors.

“We are hopeful and confident that the Scott County Family YMCA will not close. All Ys are however autonomous and must be self-sustaining. While there is great educational and marketing support from the national YMCA, it does not help finance local Ys,” Hubbard said.

According to Hubbard, once the $40,000 is raised, the Y will begin work to start a capital campaign to redesign the pre-existing pool structure into a multi-use facility. Hubbard said there are already estimates in hand.

“We hope all businesses, community partners, Y members and local residents recognize the great service the YMCA provides and contribute to our campaign,” Hubbard said.

Those wishing to donate can give directly through the YMCA’s website at www.scfy.org or by check made payable to Scott County Family YMCA.