Door County Sturgeons Underwater Hockey Update

Door County's underwater hockey club, the Door County Sturgeons, for the first time sent 2 teams to the Can Am Midwest Championship underwater hockey tournament last weekend.  The 2 day tournament

was hosted at the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center in Brown Deer, Wisconsin, and included thirteen teams from Canada and across the United States.  The Sturgeons’ two teams took second and third places in the open division after an exciting sudden death overtime match in the semi-finals. 

 

The second place Sturgeons team is pictured below, with players left to right: Tim Feist, Amy Ensign, Kaitlyn Schauske, Terry Chier, Molly Banks, Gale Chier, Mark Truckey, Rosa Zhang, and player/coaches Kendall and Susan Banks.  

 

The third place Zebra Muscles team included players from Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay, and Marquette: Matt Brown, Brittany DiMaria, Brendon Ewers, Paul Filar, Trisha Filar, Luke Foote, David Foulds, Adam Gardiner, Robert Vernon, and Albert Weber.

 

The Sturgeons meet on Fridays at the Sturgeon Bay YMCA at 6:30 and welcome new players of all levels.  They will also be teaching a kids underwater hockey course at the Y this spring.  Visit their website at www.sbunderwaterhockey.com   for more information about the team and the sport of underwater hockey.    

YMCA To Consolidate Childcare Services

The YMCA announced today that it was going to consolidate its childcare programming into one site from its current two locations.  At the present time the YMCA operates the Barker Center on Egg Harbor Road and the Lansing Center on the west edge of the industrial park in Sturgeon Bay.  Beginning on January 11, 2016 all children will be served at the Barker Center.

The consolidation has been made necessary because of the drop in enrollment created by the expansion of the all-day 4K program in area schools and by the financial impact which the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) will have on the operations for the childcare program beginning in 2016. 

“The YMCA business model for childcare programming is built on a blend of a low ratio of newborns to teachers (4 to 1) to a much higher ratio of four year olds to teacher (18 to 1).  With the critical reduction in the number of four year olds, and the new costs of the ACA mandates, the business model for two buildings is not sustainable” explained Door County YMCA CEO Tom Beerntsen.  “When the Federal Government established a low 30 hours per week threshold for the definition of fulltime employment for the ACA, it resulted in an exposure of more than $100,000 in new expenses, on an annual basis, in the childcare area alone” Beerntsen continued.

The purchase of the Barker Center facility in 2012 was driven by the need for additional quality childcare in Door County.  Soon after opening in 2013 the Center was filled and in the second year of operation the Barker Center was awarded the coveted and nationally recognized Five Star Young Star rating. 

In early 2014 the Lansing Center was purchased and became the main location for the YMCAs well attended eleven week day camp program and the main kitchen for the YMCA summer foods program which served more than 20,000 lunches to children weekdays this past summer.  The Lansing Center opened for childcare service in the fall of 2014 and also serves as an offsite location for wellness classes.  Ministry Door County Medical Center also operates a satellite office at the Lansing Center.

YMCA Board of Directors Chairperson, Steve Abrahamson indicated that accessible and affordable childcare is critical to the ability of a community to attract young families and develop a vibrant economy.  “Moms and dads have been able to go to work knowing that their children are safe and in good care when they are at our YMCA childcare centers.  We remain committed to working to design a business model which allows us to continue these important services under one roof” Abrahamson commented.  “It is unfortunate that in this case well intended decisions at the federal level with healthcare and the related loss of our 4 year old enrollment in day care has resulted in a challenge to the viability of care for the youngest of our children” Abrahamson concluded.

The Lansing Center will continue to serve as a site for wellness classes, summer day camp, summer foods and other special Y programs.   The operation of the hospital satellite office is unchanged under the current lease arrangement.  It is anticipated that the use and disposition of the two YMCA owned centers will be determined in the third quarter of 2016.

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National Service AmeriCorps member placed in Sturgeon Bay to serve community

April Novak was announced as Marshfield Clinic  AmeriCorps member serving at Door County YMCA Sturgeon Bay Center until August 31, 2016. April is a native of Kewaunee, Wisconsin.

April is serving as the Volunteer Coordinator at the Door County YMCA.  Her principal duty is to update and maintain the volunteer process.  She will also be periodically making contact with current and past volunteers, as well as recruiting new volunteers to serve the Door County YMCA, Sturgeon Bay and Northern Door locations.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities at 25,000 different sites throughout the U.S. for individuals to engage in intensive service for one year to meet critical community needs.  Since 1994, 900,000 volunteers have participated in AmeriCorps, addressing needs in education, health, economic support, and the environment.  In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. 

Marshfield Clinic sponsors three AmeriCorps programs: an after school tutoring and healthy active living program, a program for building nonprofit capacity through effective use of volunteers, and a program that supports substance abuse prevention.

April joined the Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps program to gain experience in the community and human service areas.  Her work is driven by a desire to serve individuals and families, as well as strengthen the community and society as a whole.

April went to St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin and graduated in 2015 with the degree in Psychology.

Marshfield Clinic provides patient care, research and education with more than 50 locations in northern, central and western Wisconsin, making it one of the largest comprehensive medical systems in the United States.

YMCA Receives $200,000 Challenge Gift

Northern Door Capital Campaign Passes $1 Million Mark for Phase 2

An anonymous $200,000 challenge gift pushed Phase 2 of the Door County YMCA’s Capital Campaign for the Northern Door Program Center past the $1 million mark. As of today, each new dollar committed to construct a 3,500-square-foot addition at the Fish Creek facility will be matched up to $200,000.

“We’re optimistic that with this major new commitment to our project we’ll be able to secure the necessary gifts and pledges to begin construction before winter weather arrives,” said Tom Beerntsen, Door County YMCA CEO. “We value every dollar we receive, and this challenge gift doubles the impact of each contribution as we work to reach our $1.5 million goal.”

The addition will be constructed on the south side of the existing building, facing Gibraltar Road, and will house a new Lifestyle Center. With an additional 1,200 square feet for cardio and strength training equipment compared to the current Lifestyle Center in the center of the building, the way in which the Y serves members and guests will be visibly transformed, and the space in the center of the building will be renovated into multi-purpose rooms.

“During recent strategic planning focus group meetings it was confirmed how vital the Y is to residents and Door County visitors alike,” said Northern Door Program Center Executive Director Drew Richmond. “This facility has provided a space for a wide range of activities that promote healthy lifestyles since 1999, and this next phase of construction will allow us to better serve our community for many years to come.”

Other elements of Phase 2 include replacement of the gym roof, all air handler units, a refurbish of the two main shower rooms, and renovation of all bathrooms. Last year, the Y raised more than $750,000 to expand and replace the aquatic center mechanical room, dehumidification system and boilers as Phase 1 of capital improvements.

Individuals and businesses interested in helping to meet the new challenge gift should contact Drew Richmond (drichmond@doorcountyymca.org, 920-868-3660) or Tom Beerntsen (tbeerntsen@doorcountyymca.org, 920-743-4949).

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YMCA Capital Campaign Approaches $1M Mark

The Door County YMCA announced today that Green Bay Packaging and the George Kress Foundation have made a $500,000 commitment to the YMCA for a new, 3,500-square-foot Lifestyle Center addition to the Northern Door Program Center. This addition is the centerpiece of the current effort to raise $1.5M to construct the new Lifestyle Center, reroof the gym, replace the facility’s air handling units and refurbish the locker room shower rooms.

Will Kress, Green Bay Packaging CEO, indicated that they are pleased to be able to support this important YMCA expansion program.   “Our family has been long-time supporters of the YMCA in northeast Wisconsin, and we have had a deep interest in Door County for several generations. We appreciate the importance of a strong and vibrant YMCA program and understand that the Y in Door County is truly the center of the community,” Kress said.

The new Lifestyle Center will face Gibraltar Road and it is hoped that construction will begin prior to the end of the year.  More than $900,000 has been raised to date for this phase of capital improvements. Last year the YMCA raised $750,000 to expand the Aquatic Center mechanical room and replace the dehumidification system and boilers.

“It is our intent to move forward with each necessary improvement to the Northern Door Program Center as the funds are secured,” said Door County YMCA CEO Tom Beerntsen. “The improvement to the pool area was an incredibly important but not very visible investment. Our next improvements will be highly visible and significantly improve the usability of our facility – the Lifestyle Center addition will change the way we are able to serve our members and the community.”

Contributions and pledges are currently being sought to reach the campaign goal of $1.5M. For additional information on the building program and the fund raising effort, contact Drew Richmond, Development Director/Northern Door Program Center Executive Director (drichmond@doorcountyymca.org, 920-868-3660) or Tom Beerntsen (tbeerntsen@doorcountyymca.org,920-743-4949).

YMCA Moves Toward Second Phase of Northern Door Capital Projects

 Expansion plans will add 3,500 square feet

Efforts are now underway to secure the $1.5 million required to fund an expansion of the YMCA’s Northern Door Program Center in Fish Creek. This capital improvement project is the second phase of a multi-year expansion and renovation program.

The centerpiece of phase two is the addition of a 3,500-square-foot new Lifestyle Center, which would be added to the south side of the current facility facing Gibraltar Road. The new construction will replace the existing Lifestyle Center in the center of the facility.

“The growth of our membership and programming has outpaced the space we currently have available,” said Northern Door Program Center Executive Director Drew Richmond. “The expansion will include space for more cardiovascular and strength training equipment, as well as a social lounge and stretching area, which will create a more welcoming, comfortable and safe work out experience for every one.”

The existing space in the center of the building will be renovated into two multi-purpose spaces to accommodate additional programming for children, adults, families and seniors. The renovated spaces will provide more functional, updated space for programming from group exercise to youth dance. An additional benefit will be increased storage for classroom equipment and enhanced sound proofing between classroom spaces.

This second phase of construction will also renovate both shower rooms, providing fully tiled shower areas, and replace the gym roof. All existing roof top air-handling units will be replaced and relocated.

The first phase of the improvement program was completed earlier this year when the original pool mechanical room was expanded, and the air handling system for the aquatic center was replaced at a cost of $750,000. This project was funded by gifts and pledges for this purpose.

“It is our intent to move forward with each necessary improvement to the Northern Door Program Center as the funds are secured,” said Door County YMCA CEO Tom Beerntsen. “The improvement to the pool area was an incredibly important but not very visible investment. Our next improvements will be highly visible and significantly improve the usability of our facility – the Lifestyle Center addition will change the way we are able to serve our members and the community.”

The final phase of improvements to the facility would address the configuration of social and offices spaces and update finishes in the entry area to the facility. No timetable has been established for the third phase of renovations; however, if funding is secured for the Lifestyle Center addition, construction could begin before the end of this year.

Individuals and businesses interested in assisting with this project should contact Drew Richmond (drichmond@doorcountyymca.org, 920-868-3660) or Tom Beerntsen (tbeerntsen@doorcountyymca.org, 920-743-4949) at the Door County YMCA. 

Sturgeon Underwater Hockey Play at Nationals

The Door County Sturgeons played at underwater hockey's nationals tournament in Los Angeles, California June 26th- 28th.  They played a total of 15 games over the three day tournament against teams from Seattle, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and more.  The team finished 5th in the B division, putting them four places ahead of where they finished last year when they were at the top of the C division.  Their final game against Chicago was won with a goal by Kendall Banks in sudden death overtime.  The photo below was taken of the team after that win.  The Sturgeons practice at the Sturgeon Bay Program Center YMCA.  Summer practice is from 5:15-6:45 on Fridays, and the team welcomes new players of all ages.

The Sturgeons pictured below (left to right, back to front):    Albert Weber, David Foulds, Robert Vernon, Yori Huynh, Kendall Banks, Trisha Filar, Kaitlyn Schauske, Molly Banks, Amy Ensign, and Gale Chier.  Not pictured is Paul Filar.