Local YMCA exploration moves forward

Monday, October 12, 2015

While things have been quiet on the YMCA/community center front recently, that doesn't mean there hasn't been continued investigation into the possibility of a Greencastle-based community facility.

"Since some time has gone by, I wanted to give you an update on the Greencastle project from the YMCA's perspective," CEO Deborah Plummer Ringo of YMCAs of the Wabash Valley said in presenting a summary report via email. "We have received our report from YUSA and Resource Director Wade Hampton."

Hampton and Ringo facilitated the Aug. 19-20 focus groups and community forum sessions in Greencastle.

When the YMCA board's Feasibility Committee presents its work to the full board on Oct. 15, the first few questions likely will include:

-- Is there interest among the people in Greencastle and in Putnam County in services the YMCA offers?

-- Are there unmet community needs with the community's current resources?

-- Are there programs and services the Wabash Valley YMCA could offer to meet unmet community needs?

That's a no-brainer, the YMCA CEO believes.

"The committee believes that following the Community Needs Survey, Focus Groups and Community Leader Forum, we can check 'yes' to each of these questions," Ringo stressed. "They will recommend to the full board during the Oct. 15 meeting that we move into the next phase of the investigation."

Moving forward, the questions include what programs would be utilized, what facility would be most appropriate for the needs of the community and ultimately the financial support needed for start-up and long-term stability.

Ringo has already started work on those questions in anticipation of the board's support.

She pointed out that in June the Wabash Valley YMCA, with permission of the City of Greencastle, commissioned YMCA of the USA to study Greencastle community needs concerning potential program and facility expansion plans. An online survey was distributed to best identify community needs in the focus areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

The most compelling community needs, coupled with the desired impact the Y seeks to have in a community, are at the crux of what drives YMCA strategic expansion and program development plans.

A total of 647 community members responded to the local survey, equating to a 95 percent confidence level and a confidence interval of 3.8 percent, which means the YMCA can speak with 95 percent confidence that the stated results are within 3.8 percent of what is being reported.

Most respondents were identified as: Caucasian/White (605, 93 percent), ages 35-44 (201, 31 percent), identified as female (471, 72 percent), with a household income of 75-150K (198, 30 percent), nonmembers of the YMCA (627, 96 percent), who live in households with children (419, 65 percent) and have household members who have participated in YMCA programs (196, 30 percent).

Top adult needs identified were:

-- Availability of services aimed at engaging the entire family unit.

-- Adult support in practicing positive habits that include physical activity and healthy eating.

The top youth needs identified were:

-- The need for safe and secure community spaces for our youth.

-- Youth support in practicing positive habits that include physical activity and healthy eating.

To dig deeper into the survey responses, five focus groups were conducted Aug. 19 with 27 people participating. Following the focus groups, a community forum was conducted involving 22 community leaders on Aug. 20.

The focus groups and community forum helped define what the Greencastle community values, identified potential partners the Y could align with to serve the community, identified potential programming opportunities and provided rankings on the important amenities desired by the community, the report noted.

Key findings of the focus groups and forum include:

-- Deepening appreciation and sense of community.

-- Improving health habits of the community.

-- Providing activities that support academic engagement and performance and non-athletic activities.

-- Offering a safe community gathering space, especially in the colder months.

-- Having a welcoming environment inclusive of all segments of the community.

Focus groups were asked to identify amenities that should be included in a YMCA facility membership. Once the list was established, focus group members were asked to select their priority amenity. The priority of facility amenities is:

1. Swimming pool.

2. Cardio/strength training area.

3. Drop-in childcare area.

4. Community room.

5. Gymnasium.

6. Walking track.

7. Locker rooms.

8. Kitchen.

9. Group exercise rooms.

10. Classroom/multipurpose rooms.

Program opportunities:

-- Key program targets based on age demographics: ages 10-16, seniors and family special events.

-- Achievement Gap programs, including summer learning programs, nutrition classes and activities, activities that improve or increase life skills, programs for seniors and family-based activities.

Fifty potential partnerships were identified by community forum participants. Potential partners were identified in nonprofit and government sectors, civic groups, the academic field, medical providers, funders and the media.

"Communication in the months ahead is critical to managing expectations," the report states. "The enthusiasm of the focus group and community forum members indicate that community expectations can possibly be higher than what the City of Greencastle and the YMCA are able to deliver. Many participants pointed to facilities that were in communities with a much higher population density than Greencastle.

"The reality is that Greencastle cannot build a facility citizens will not or cannot support," the report adds.

The report suggests the formation of an advisory board as one of the first priorities and the focus of the advisory group should be flushing out and building partnerships while raising the start-up funds needed to open the facility.

"The time to start is now," the report concludes. "Begin the work as soon as the project has a green light. There are programming and partnership opportunities in Greencastle right now that the Y can begin to make inroads toward before the construction of a facility.

"It is the Y's intention to be a great community partner and assure long-term sustainability. In the focus group meetings there were indications that some believed the Y should offer free services to certain groups. The Y does have a financial assistance program that is dependent on support from community donors to help those who are less fortunate participate in activities offered. The bottom line is that the Y cannot give away more than it can sustain."

And while an aquatic feature might be desired, people in the community need to have a clear understanding of the impact of an aquatics center on the cost of their Y membership, the report addressed.

"In communities the size of Greencastle, YMCA of the USA's prior experience indicate the members of the Greencastle YMCA would not be able/willing to support the operating cost of aquatic center. That doesn't rule out a pool, it just highlights that it will take an act of generosity or some significant partnerships where the operating and construction cost is spread to several partners."

For example, if the City of Greencastle were willing to fund construction of a pool, the report added, "the Y would need to raise endowment funds of $2 million to $4 million (estimated) to cover the annual operating cost shortfall. An additional alternative to make a pool affordable is to pursue community partnerships and shared services of an aquatic center with the county schools, a suggestion that came up several times in the focus groups."

As to the location of a YMCA, the report notes that a new facility will draw members within a 15-minute drive radius and that there are varied opinions and preferences for a location.

In choosing a site, the report concludes, organizers must "consider the footprint size of the facility on the available acreage," including having ample parking, visibility, ease of accessibility and ability to expand (if needed).

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  • A YMCA WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT IDEA FOR GREENCASTLE. I WOULD THINK THAT IF CLAY COUNTY AND OWEN COUNTY CAN AFFORD TO HAVE YMCA'S, PUTNAM COUNTY ABSOLUTELY COULD.

    -- Posted by Queen53 on Tue, Oct 13, 2015, at 11:21 AM
  • I am glad they are looking at what Greencastle needs before they proceed - sounds like they are right on target- just do not get lazy let it go bad after it is established like so many other facilities in town

    -- Posted by talkymom3 on Tue, Oct 13, 2015, at 11:28 AM
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