The Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA has launched a new $4.4 million capital campaign to improve its facility on Hollywood Road in St. Joseph.
The YMCA’s Jill Haboush tells us the “Another Century of Service” campaign is aimed at rejuvenating and expanding the facility. The campaign will have two phases, with Phase One seeking $2.4 million.
“The first phase is going to include locker room renovations, a playground which has actually already been installed, and then a rework of the steam room which comes into play because it will be off of the locker room area as well,” Haboush said. “That locker room will encompass the steam room as well.”
It’ll also include upgraded cardio space flooring.
Haboush says Phase Two will seek $2 million for a new gym.
“The additional gymnasium comes into play just because we’ve got additional programming. The uptake of youth basketball, of course pickleball is all the rage with some of the adults and seniors. We’ve got before and after school care and summer child care in our facility.”
Haboush says the current building was constructed in 1981 and is in need of a refresh. Plus, the YMCA has more programming today than it did back then.
The organization has already raised about $1.6 million from major supporters and is now launching a public fundraising campaign to collect the rest. Anyone who wants to help can donate online.
