Naming rights and draft renderings highlight Community Aquatic Center update

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Less than two months remain for the YMCA to reach an estimated $15 million goal to build its Community Aquatic Center.

More than $13.6 million has been raised so far, and CEO Tammy Killin said her team is working toward the finish line.

“It’s crunch time, we’re feeling it but we are also feeling the excitement and the momentum,” Killin said. “I can’t tell you how much of a heartwarming experience this has been along with a little bit of a whirlwind. The heartwarming part is to see the people who believe in this project.”

Unofficial renderings offer an idea of what the aquatic facility at the YMCA, 3601 N. Village Drive, could look like. The approximately 35,000-square-foot center includes a 50-meter pool with 10 lanes, a wellness pool, a multi-purpose room, locker rooms, spectator seating, offices and on-site food and beverage concessions.

The 50-meter pool is divided in half by a floating bulkhead. The wellness pool includes a play area, four lanes for water safety and swim lessons.

“We’ve gone to 13 different facilities to just look at how the facility was built and we asked the questions, ‘What do you wish you would do differently? What has worked?’” Killin said. “We have gone into some and it’s very clear what has gone well and what hasn’t.”

The unofficial renderings also include a basketball court, which is not part of the aquatic center, but a phase two of the YMCA’s strategic plan.

Giving levels and named gift opportunities have opened for donors.

“Some of the larger sponsors and donors will have naming rights to a room like the wellness pool for example,” Killin said. “The mechanical room or the vestibule and different things like that to recognize who in our community has stepped up.”

The YMCA will have a “Pedal for the Pool” bike-a-thon from 5:15 to 11 a.m. on April 14 to help raise funds.

“The YMCA is a nonprofit, we’ve been in this business for 143 years serving our community and this is another way we can be a part, not the sole entity, but a part of serving our community,” Killin said.

Killin asks those interested in helping to get the facility built to put pledges in by April 1. Donations can be made by visiting stjoymca.org or mailing or dropping contributions off at 3601 N. Village Drive.

The official deadline for the YMCA to raise the funds is April 30.