MCCF Grant Supports Y Aquatics and Gymnastics Equipment

Left to Right: Y staff Ryan Harkema, Meghan Slay, and Dawn Collins with Madonna Bowie, MCCF board member (photo submitted)

Oskaloosa, June 7, 2011 – The Mahaska County Community Foundation funded two grant requests from the Mahaska County YMCA. $8,000 was provided to the Y to support the purchase of a pool lift.

“The lift will ensure that the pool is accessible to all community members,” said Dawn Collins, executive director. “The Y must still raise $3,000 to install the lift this fall.”

The lift will be portable for space savings so it can be stored between uses. The lift will be fully ADA compliant and the Y will train aquatics staff to ensure the lift is used safely. Imagine the Possibilities, First Resources, the Center for Independent Living, and other local organizations are pleased the Y will be better able to accommodate special needs community members. Hundreds use the YMCA indoor pool every year for swimming lessons, exercise classes, lap swimming, physical therapy and recreational swimming.

The Y also received a $4,000 grant toward the purchase of gymnastics equipment. The Mahaska Y gymnastics parent group will conduct a cartwheel-a-thon fundraiser this summer to match the funds. The funds will be used to purchase a new Tumbl Trak, a new balance beam, new vault runway, a high bar, and mats for the program. “The Trumbl Trak is a much needed addition for our program, said Meghan Slay, gymnastics director. Over 200 boys and girls participate in gymnastics recreation classes or teams every year.

To learn more about the Y and programs offered to the community, call the Y at 673.8411.