Mahaska County YMCA Comments On Delay Of Opening New Recreation Facility
New Mahaska County YMCA Project
A Mahaska County YMCA Press Release
The Mahaska County YMCA Board of Directors would like to express our support and appreciation to City Manager Amal Eltahir and the Oskaloosa City Council and Mayor as they work through what has been a challenging process of bringing the new Recreation Center to completion. The Board and Staff of the Y are working in partnership with both the City of Oskaloosa and the Oskaloosa Community School District to operate the new facility, including both the Early Childhood Center, currently in operation, and the Recreation Center when it is finally ready to be occupied.
Since the Early Childhood Center opened in the Fall of 2021, it has been a wonderful setting for the Y, Oskaloosa Schools, and SIEDA to collectively provide enriched childcare from birth to school age, preschool, and Head Start services for 3 and 4-year-olds, before and after care for school-age children, and Summer Camp experiences for school-age children during the summer months.
While the ongoing construction issues have significantly delayed the opening of the Y in the Recreation Center, the Y is encouraged and excited by the potential for enhanced programming and services we will be able to provide once the new facility is able to be occupied. The Y staff is working hard NOW to play for and prepare programs and equipment and to set up and learn how to use the wonderful new spaces and technology available in the Recreation Center. Our goal is to be able to open the facility for use as quickly as possible once it is ready to be occupied.
Through the commitment of sales tax dollars from both the City of Oskaloosa and Oskaloosa Schools and generous donations provided by families and companies in Oskaloosa and surrounding areas, the greater Oskaloosa Community has invested significantly in this facility. Mahaska County YMCA is committed to honoring that investment with quality childcare and recreational services worthy of the new facility and that more effectively meet the needs of our community.
Until the Recreation Center is ready to be occupied, a portion of the equipment purchased for the new Y has been installed in our current facility to serve our members now. We can’t wait to make the additional equipment already installed in the new facility available, as well.
Mike Foster, President of the Y Board, comments, “As a donor to the project before joining the Y board, I share our community’s frustration that the Recreation Center is not ready for use. Since joining the board two years ago, I have observed how hard the City Council and staff have worked to ensure the building is done right. The delays have been painful for everyone involved, but sadly necessary to get the building done right and not just ‘done’. Please support the City’s efforts.”
