![[Glacial Community YMCA LOGO SQ]](https://recliquecore.s3.amazonaws.com/imgs/ymca_logos/named_y/blue_purple.png)
![[Glacial Community YMCA LOGO FULL]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/recliquecore/imgs/ymca_logos/named/blue_purple.png)
"Building Community" Capital Campaign"
In Fall of 2023, we publicly announced a Capital Campaign to build a new full facility YMCA in Watertown that will replace our current branch on Eighth Street.
This new facility will be built adjacent to The Collective, a community hub which recently opened in Watertown at the old Bethesda Headquarters. The new building will connect to the current Ehlinger Center (satellite express Y) that opened at The Collective in July of 2023.
The project is planned in two phases:
Phase I is focused on replacing our current amenities at the former high school and includes:
- Community gathering spaces
- A large free weight center
- Fitness and immersive cycling studios
- Multipurpose program spaces
- Locker rooms
- Kid’s Corner
- A large gymnasium
- An indoor track
Phase II will include an aquatic center and will be built when funding is available. We will work with community leaders to define how the Riverside Middle School pool and the YMCA pool will work in partnership to fully meet the community’s aquatic needs.
The goal for the public phase of the Capital Campaign was set at $1.7 million to complete Phase I of the project. Phase 1 has been prioritized due to the aging infrastructure of the old high school and accessibility limitations.
Campaign progress highlights:
- In April 2024, the YMCA announced raising almost $2 million in the public phase of the campaign with $18 million total raised.
- Thanks to a generous donation from Barton and Laura Bentzin, the new YMCA will be known as the Tom and Mary Schultz Family YMCA.
- Several other naming rights have been announced:
- Earl and Eugenia Quirk Foundation Wellness Hub
- Watertown Regional Medical Center Gymnasium
- John David Free Weight Center (thanks to a generous donation from Maas Brothers Construction.)
- More naming announcements will be shared in the coming months!
We still need your help!
While the time has come that we can move forward with building Phase I, we still need to equip it.
- Help us fill our new, state-of-the-art facility with equipment to match.
- In addition to equipping the YMCA, we are still $5.5 million away from building phase II.
All gifts of $1,000 or more that come in prior to May 2025 will be permanently recognized in the new facility.
Proposed Floor Plans
(subject to change)
