MAHASKA YMCA RECEIVES GRANT FROM STATE OF IOWA
The Mahaska County YMCA
OSKALOOSA – In March, the Mahaska County YMCA applied for grant monies in an effort to secure funds for facility improvements. The Board of Directors has received word they were successful in that process and have been awarded $66,000.
“We are very excited to receive this grant and extremely pleased the entire amount we requested was awarded,” said Madonna Bowie, Mahaska YMCA President. “Though the work on the facility improvements won’t begin until after July 1 when the funds are available, we believe this is further evidence the Y serves as a vital Mahaska Community partner.”
The grant monies will be used in several areas of need: replacement of inefficient showers in member locker rooms, addressing additional special needs locker rooms and a handicap accessible bathroom, energy efficient window replacement, issues at the YMCA Camp Lodge including roof work, and security lighting in front of the YMCA facility on North 3rd.
A condition of the grant included securing local match dollars. Bowie indicated match dollars have been received: $5,000 from United Way for the lodge roof project, $15,000 from Mahaska County Community Foundation for handicap bathroom and additional lodge repairs, and from the Y’s local match campaign.
“The projects with secured matching funds will be addressed first,” added Bowie, “after a final review and approval process through the YMCA board. Work must be completed within the fiscal year in which the grant was received.”
The Mahaska YMCA is one of 11 rural Iowa YMCAs that received grants through the Rural YMCA Facility Improvement Grant Program which is administered by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. A total of $500,000 was granted this year.
The program seeks to strengthen rural Iowa communities by investing in facility infrastructure projects to sustain youth development, healthy living and social responsibility initiatives at YMCAs located in communities with populations of 28,000 or less. Funding for this program is made possible through an appropriation by the Iowa Legislature from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund which was established in Iowa Code in 1994.
“We received the total amount applied for,” said Bowie, “and I believe that is a testament to the importance of our mission and the vital role the Y plays in serving the Mahaska Community’s youth and families.”
The Mahaska County YMCA is located at 414 North 3rd Street in Oskaloosa. They can be found on the web at www.MahaskaYMCA.org.
