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.  

Free Summer Swim Lesson Program

Through a partnership with YUSA, the YMCA’s Sturgeon Bay Program Center has received an outreach grant to offer free swim lessons to 100 children ages 5-12 during our 2015 summer swim program. Registration is required and can be made by stopping in or calling our Welcome Center at 920-743-4949 (the program registration opens for members beginning June 15 and community members beginning June 17 and will be on a “first come/first served basis”).  

Participants may sign up for one of two “Super Swim Sessions” from June 29 – July 3 or July 6 – 10 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. 5 – 7 different stations will be set up with certified swim instructors at each station.

Door County YMCA CEO, Tom Beerntsen, stated that “in a county surrounded by water, it is vital that we do everything possible to provide for the safety of our kids and the Y is pleased to be able to join with Y’s throughout the country and “hop the gap” to fill this significant need in our community during the summer months”.    

Please contact Mike McHugh, Door County YMCA Sturgeon Bay Program Center Aquatics Director, at 920-743-4949 for any questions about our free swim lesson program. To learn more about the Door County YMCA, please visit: http://www.doorcountyymca or call us at 920-743-4949 in Sturgeon Bay or 920-868-3660 in Fish Creek.

Door County YMCA Reaches 2015 Annual Campaign Goal

The Door County YMCA would like to offer its thanks and deep appreciation to the many supporters, donors and community volunteers whose generosity and hard work raised $525,167 to support our Annual Campaign (formerly known as Strong Kids). The Y’s Annual Campaign ensures that everyone in Door County has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive and participate in great Y programs without regard to their financial means.  The Annual Campaign provides financial assistance for those in need and enables the Y to provide programs and services that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Through the Annual Campaign, the Y is able to serve the community with many impactful free programs like Summer Foods which provides summer meals for more than 300 kids each day during the summer months, free swimming lessons for more than 150 children, English Language Learners Classes which provide language instructions for non-English speakers and LiveSTRONG at the YMCA which helps those recovering from the debilitating effects of cancer.

 Door County YMCA President and CEO, Tom Beerntsen noted that: “To reach our Annual Campaign goal of $525,000 is truly an extraordinary accomplishment. We are humbled by the generosity of our donors and the diligence of our volunteer campaigners. At the Y, we value every dollar entrusted to us by our donors. A successful campaign insures that we will continue to honor our promise to serve everyone who comes our way regardless of financial ability. The need for a mission driven and values based organization has never been more important. We are fortunate to live in an extremely compassionate community where residents consistently step forward to make certain that everyone has access to our YMCA. Nearly 25% of our membership enjoys some degree of financial assistance and due to the community’s generosity, our YMCA is able to welcome all who want to participate.”

 To learn more about the Door County YMCA, please visit: http://www.doorcountyymca or call us at  at 920-743-4949 in Sturgeon Bay or 920-868-3660 in Fish Creek. 

Door County YMCA Doorfins Nationals Update

It was a very memorable year. From the 8-under girls winning the YMCA State Championship, 6 state records, 14 Individual and Relay State Champions, to 19 YMCA National Championship cut times, and 4 National relay cut times. We had great hope for a superb national meet, and it certainly was exciting.

Our first race at Nationals was the 200 Breaststroke. Max placed 6th in the Prelims, and moved up to 4th in the Finals at night with a personal best time of 2:02.0. He was just out touched for 3rd by 1/10th of a second. Our 200 Free relay also swam, placing 17th, 1 spot out of Finals. It was our best time of the year.

Our 400 free relay placed 23rd, and our 200 Medley swam beautifully, but disqualified on a false start. The time would have placed us 11th going into finals.

Macoy Neinas had a tremendous meet, swimming all 3 relays with best times in every race. Macoy and Max teamed up for a great start in the 200 medley, Macoy swimming his best time in the back and Max swimming the fastest split in the meet (24.77) in the breast. 

Ryan Ehlinger had a great meet with best times in the 200 butterfly, placing 51st with a 1:56.4, and 111 in the 100 butterfly with a time of 53.06.

Our best swim was on Thursday night in the 100 Breaststroke. Max McHugh was seated 2nd going into finals against the 200 Breast National Champion. This was also the Wisconsin High School State Champion in the 100 Breaststroke.  I know, it is odd that Wisconsin has the 2 fastest breaststroke swimmers in the nation.  The race was very quick, with 6 swimmers posting faster times than Prelims.  Max led from the start of the race, swimming the fastest front 50 and fastest 2nd 50 for a 54.89. He dropped over 1 second from prelims. His time is the 5th fastest time in history, with Conner McHugh having the top 2 times and National Record. Max is also 15, the youngest Men’s National Champion in history. The next 15 year old swimmer placed 39th. No brothers have ever repeated as National Champions back-to back in history. Interesting story. 

We also finished  in the 100 butterfly with Jared Klika ( 42nd-51.42)and Ryan Scripp (65th-51.89). Ryan Scripp also placed 64th in the 200 free. We placed 18th as a team for the meet.

A Note From Our CEO

Greetings, 

This weekend the Christian world will celebrate the Easter holiday. Over the many years that I have been involved with the YMCA as both a volunteer and staff member, I have thought often about how Christian values, which guide our programming and work, might not only survive but thrive in an ever changing and complex world. I continue to believe that the need for the YMCA and our mission based and values driven programming has never been more important!

The Easter season is a time of new beginnings and hope for a better tomorrow. Years ago, it was suggested that the YMCA is "an island of hope in a sea of opportunities in many communities". I believe that this is especially true in Door County. The Christian values which are at the very foundation of our organization require that we accept and welcome all individuals and families regardless of the color of their skin, the religion they choose or their financial ability to pay. I have maintained my faith in this good organization because the Y should be and is, the one place where the playing field is leveled and all are welcomed.

In this season of hope, our board and staff want to be a regular part of your life. Your YMCA is so much more than a "rec center". We care for the very young in our two child care facilities and work with the most senior of our citizens to provide programs like memory and balance classes. Our LiveSTRONG at the Y program for cancer survivors offers those challenged by the ravages of cancer a new outlook on life. In mid-May, we will welcome more than 300 dads and their daughters to our annual "Father - Daughter Ball" providing memories for a lifetime to young girls who seem to grow up too fast. The list of programs could go on and on....

We join you in looking forward to the coming Easter weekend and the advent of warmer spring temperatures. We also welcome back our many seasonal visitors and we hope that you will continue to use and enjoy the YMCA in the months ahead.

Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and blessed Easter weekend. We look forward to serving you and seeing you often this spring!

No Classes: April 4 & 5

YMCA is Closed : Easter Sunday, April 5