By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Work is ongoing to raise money to build a new aquatic center in St. Joseph.
The project which totals around 15 million dollars is a collaboration between the YMCA of St. Joseph, the city, and Buchanan County.
YMCA CEO Tammy Killan says they have spearheaded raising money for the project and accept whatever money people are willing to give
"We will take any amount, we have $5 that have been put in our donation box, and again it's $5, so if everybody would have that mentality we would be there," Killan tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "So, the pledges can come into the YMCA, we have information on our website, we have a Venmo account, we have a QR code, we have brochures, we have postcards."
Killan says currently the YMCA has raised more than $13-million in grants and donations.
"We're continuing to trickle in the funds, which also helps keep us motivated and have that hope alive that our community really wants this to happen," Killan explains. "So, we're about just over $1.3 million away from the goal, which we have a deadline of the end of April to present back to the city to say we have secured all the funding."
The new aquatics center will provide space for many things such as competitive swimming and aqua therapy. It will be a space open to the public
Killan says the advantage of an indoor center is being able to use it year-round
"Water is a great activity to stay physically fit and to have something to do for all ages and stages, so that's the biggest feature," Killan says.
Killan says the Y has consulted with experts and plans to build garage doors for some outside use as well
"So, you can have an area to go out with a patio area so you can still get some sun, come back in, and we can close up those doors in the wintertime and still enjoy the aquatic center," Killan points out.
The YMCA has until the end of next month to raise the funds
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