YMCA pitches partnership with city for new aquatic facility
By Cameron Montemayor
The St. Joseph City Council discussed the prospects of partnering with the YMCA to help finance construction for a new indoor aquatic facility on Tuesday.
The YMCA is hoping to start work in the next three to five years on a new 35,000 square foot facility in north St. Joseph, which as of now is projected to cost around $12 million.
“My dream would be breaking ground by ‘27, at the latest. Whether we can do that, you know, we’ll see. But we’re certainly devoted to this cause to this plan,” YMCA CEO Tammy Killin said.
While no official decision was made Tuesday, the city is expected to vote on a resolution at the end of April that will give the YMCA a window to finalize grants and collaboration with other groups. If grants are secured and cost projections are finalized, the city could potentially move forward with a partnership, one that could see them contribute up to $7 million.
“I’m hoping to get the ball rolling as quick as I can and get within 60 days of coming back to council, giving that information and answering all the questions they have,” Killin said.
The YMCA has been working aggressively with outside groups in recent months to develop a plan that appeals to all community needs with a variety of programs and amenities. Killin has big dreams for what the facility could provide, including hosting U.S. swim meets.
If realized, the facility would include a 10-lane 50-meter pool to provide recreational and competitive swimming, water safety courses and lifeguard training, among others. The facility would also include a separate wellness and rehabilitation component.
“We’re really making sure that this is a true community collaboration instead of just the YMCA going on an endeavor,” Killin said. “We need a facility that is able to provide for our community on a larger scale.”
With notable declines in pool attendance across St. Joseph in recent years as options become more limited, councilmembers want to see a facility that appeals to the entire community to maximize its usage and long term sustainability. The city currently handles operations of the Thomas Eagleton Indoor Pool at Missouri Western.
The YMCA location at North Village Drive does not have a swimming pool, a popular amenity the Downtown facility used to operate before closing its doors in 2020.
If everything goes according to plan, the YMCA would charge $10 for a single-day pass and $25 for family passes. Patrons looking to use the facility would not be required to be a member of the organization.
“We don’t want to go so fast that we’re not considering all the aspects that we need to for a collaboration. So we’re going to make sure that we really turn over every stone to make sure this is the right plan for our city,” she said.
If a partnership with the YMCA doesn’t come to be, the city is expected to pivot to another plan that includes financing a new pool facility.
