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Groundbreaking expected on community center this spring
Groundbreaking on the long-awaited, much-debated community center/YMCA is expected this spring, the City Council was told at its December meeting.
Councilman Dave Murray raised the issue, saying he had recently talked with Putnam County Hospital Executive Director Dennis Weatherford, who advised he was “really excited about the conversations going on with the ‘Y.’”
While the next step is getting the lease finalized, construction could commence as soon as this coming spring, Mayor Bill Dory said.
“We have met with a firm that provides construction management services to explain the process and outline how that process works,” he said of a project that is expected to involve a partnership between the city, Wabash Valley YMCA and Putnam County Hospital.
“We’re looking at using a construction manager,” Dory continued, “just because of the nature of the project and the complexity.”
Dory also pointed out that a group has been meeting relative to the initial fundraising on the project.
“They’re getting a list of people together for that and potential candidates for requests for that to move forward,” the mayor said of potential donors and volunteers.
With all that coming together, Councilman Steve Fields wondered about the next logical step.
“So we’re looking hopefully at a spring groundbreaking?” Fields asked.
“Yes,” Dory replied, “that’s what we’re shooting for, spring of this coming year.”
“So four months, five months?” Councilman Mark Hammer interjected.
“Depending on what the weather is, spring or summer,” the mayor said.
Councilman Murray turned the conversation back to the proposed contract, currently being finalized by the Indianapolis legal firm Ice Miller.
“How far are we from having a draft contract?” Murray asked. “RDC (Redevelopment Commission) and the Council obviously need to read it.”
As soon as the contract is delivered to the city it will be distributed to RDC and City Council members, Dory assured.
City Attorney Laurie Hardwick addressed some of the contract issues.
“They’re looking at the issue of naming rights, things like that,” she said, “and how that’s affected by the bonding … if there’s any limitations because of that.”
“It’s a complicated deal,” Councilman Murray allowed.
During a pubic meeting last May, an enthusiastic audience of 75 residents got their first glimpse into the scope and nature of the proposed 51,000-square-foot Greencastle YMCA community center
Among the things they learned is that memberships, volunteers, financial supporters and community partners all will be necessary in seeing the project go from a dream of more than 30 years to reality.
The YMCA will operate the community center and be responsible for maintenance on a facility to be built by the city with funds accumulated by the Greencastle Redevelopment Commission.
Representatives of the Wabash Valley YMCA, project architect Tom Salzer of Bona Vita Architects and Greencastle Mayor Bill Dory shared where the project has been and where it’s going after the momentum generated from the city’s acquisition of 73.26 acres of property off State Road 240 and Ballard Lane for the building of a community center and future development.
The focus of the community center, Ryan Penrod, executive director of the Wabash Valley YMCA, suggested, will be on “youth, wellness and a community gathering place” designed to offer fitness equipment, cardio workout opportunities and places to play basketball, volleyball and pickleball among other activities. It will not have an indoor pool in the initial configuration.
As presently designed, the building would include a 6,100-square-foot area reserved as leased space for a health care facility, which officials said might be a prompt or urgent care center, a family practice office or an office hosting rotating specialists. Putnam County Hospital has been involved in project discussions but its board has not taken action on the issue.
Other proposed spaces include a teen center, child watch area, two basketball/volleyball courts, community space (which could be converted to locker rooms if a pool is included in a later phase of the project), workout area and offices.
Also, a two-lane walking/running track is planned to go all the way around the second floor of the facility.
Once the community center is up and running, YMCA officials estimate a membership of 2,500-3,500, which is based on involvement in communities of similar size.