Extension denied, but hopes still high for the YMCA

By Kyle Schmidt

With modified renderings in hand, the pursuit for an indoor aquatic facility isn’t over for YMCA officials despite a fundraising extension denial.

CEO of the YMCA Tammy Killin has been busy straightening out the budget with the best renderings.

“One of the things that we have been actively doing is touring other facilities,” Killin said. “With that information, in determining … honing in on our programming, and then the do’s and don’ts that we are getting all this from our research.”

Killin is excited about the modified renderings and seeing it fit within the $14 million budget. The YMCA currently sits with $9.3 million raised and needs the extra $4.7 million by the end of the year.

“We have several applications in and I’m not sure when those will come to fruition,” Killin said. “That would be very difficult and that’s the reason that I wanted to get the extension.”

The steps taken each day are applying for grant applications and looking for funds as well as continuing work on collaborations and partnerships.

Killin said members have been asking for updates.

“There’s been no void in conversations and a lot of people have come up,” Killin said. “I would tell you we see a lot of support. We hear a lot of support for this collaboration and I think a lot of our residents want to see this and want to have an opportunity to have an indoor facility.”

With the modified renderings, another extension conversation looms in the near future.

“I intend to go back to city council hopefully to a work session in the next week or two to show them the renderings that we’re looking at to show them the budget and to give an update on where we’re at as far as securing funds,” Killin said. “Then hopefully, I’ll be back in to request an extension.”