Local Support Turns Requests Into Reality at the Y
Oskaloosa YMCA
Oskaloosa – The Mahaska County YMCA is making improvements to support community healthy living goals thanks to the generosity of its members and business donations. Ryan Harkema, Y Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Director, said the specific improvements are the result of responses to a fitness survey as well as individual requests throughout the past year. Harkema joined the Y in September 2010.
“I have been listening when people make requests,” said Harkema. “We couldn’t respond immediately and we couldn’t address every single request, but the requests were heard. These current additions go a long way toward improving our wellness programs.”
The improvements to date include the installation of four new televisions, the addition of new medicine balls, new attachments for the functional trainer, and a new recumbent bicycle. Mahaska Communications Group (MCG) installed high definition this week for the televisions on the main floor of the building. Lifting chains and mirrors will be added in the fitness room in the next couple of weeks. Additional elliptical machines are planned for the coming year as well.
“These upgrades are made possible through the donations from individual YMCA members, United Way, and these local businesses: EZ Sales, Industrial Commercial Insulation (ICI), Kelderman Manufacturing, MCG, and Oskaloosa Glass,” said Dawn Collins, Mahaska County YMCA Executive Director. “This is the third time the Y has added new cardio equipment in the last two years. We now have eight new cardio machines and more coming next year. We couldn’t do it without community support of their local YMCA.”
Collins invites community members to stop by the Y to see the improvements and new equipment and to contact her for more information. She can be reached by phone (641.673.8411), by email (dawn.collins@mahaskaymca.org) or at the Y facility (414 North 3rd Street in Oskaloosa). More information, including a photo tour of the Y, is also found online at www.mahaskaymca.org.
