A new era of building a stronger, healthier community begins January 2017 with the kickoff of the YMCA coming to Gothenburg! Gothenburg will become the 18th Nebraska city to benefit from a YMCA operating out of their community.
“We are thrilled for the opportunity to partner with Gothenburg by adding them to our association which includes Holdrege and Lexington,” said YMCA of the Prairie CEO, Ginger Cowne. “This is a remarkable occasion to multiply the tremendous work done on The Center project.”
The Center is a collaborative community project that has been a focus of multiple entities in Gothenburg since early 2015. The goal is to build a public hub on Gothenburg Health’s campus that fuses health, wellness, nutrition, education, community and recreation. The YMCA is a natural partner for this great endeavor.
The YMCA will utilize shared spaces in Gothenburg including those operated by the city, school and hospital to conduct programming. Upon completion, the YMCA will permanently operate out of the planned Center facility. Due to this great collaboration, The Center project will become the YMCA of Gothenburg.
Groundbreaking for the $4.95 million project is scheduled for February 2017. The YMCA will be connected to Gothenburg Health as part of a joint project featuring a hospital renovation. The YMCA will begin operating out of the existing hospital wellness center. Programming is planned to kick off in spring of 2017.
The YMCA of Gothenburg will have year-round recreation opportunities for all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. When complete, the facility will include a high school regulation size gymnasium with two cross-courts; a four-lane swimming pool with space for kids play and physical therapy; an indoor walking track; a wellness center with weights and cardio machines; a spacious group exercise room; men’s, women’s and family locker rooms; a fun and educational child watch room, and a comfortable social lobby with free Wi-Fi access. In addition to all these planned components, there will be an abundance of educational space which include the potential for mentorship programs, early childhood development, after-school programs and career development opportunities for students; depending on community wants and needs.
The YMCA at Gothenburg Health project has been partially funded by a significant local capital campaign directed by the Gothenburg Health Foundation, raising $2,265,000 through local donations. A remaining $2,685,000 is needed to complete fundraising for the community project. The Sherwood Foundation of Omaha has recently awarded a 2:1 challenge grant for the community wellness facility. For every $2 raised for the facility, the Sherwood Foundation will contribute $1, up to $895,000. The challenge will end on December 31, 2017. All past and future capital campaign funds raised will stay in Gothenburg and will be solely used to build the facility in Gothenburg as originally planned.
The YMCA is a non-profit organization focusing on strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For more information on this great partnership, please contact Becky Jobman at (308) 537-4094.