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.