Ribbon Officially Cut To New YMCA In Oskaloosa
The ribbon was official cut on August 27th, 2023 to the new YMCA located on Green Street in Oskaloosa.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The new YMCA in Oskaloosa opened approximately one month ago, and the official ribbon cutting took place on August 27th, 2023.
Approximately 50 people were in attendance, including members of the YMCA staff, Oskaloosa School Board members and administration, and City of Oskaloosa council members and staff.
Barry Martin, CEO and Executive Director of the Mahaska County YMCA, got the ceremony underway. He shared that the new facility is the third building since 1866 for the Mahaska County YMCA.
“We’re pleased that things are going very well. The community has responded very well to our opening,” said Martin.
Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt was the first dignitary to speak. “Many years from now, historians will look back on Oskaloosa’s history. They’ll see why our population increased while other communities of our size were decreasing. They’ll be looking at the actions taken and the personalities of the leaders. And their answer will be a day such as this, when our living experience permanently changed for the better. When we made investments, built buildings, buildings that will outlive us and stand as a legacy to our forethought and a gift to future generations.”
Oskaloosa School Board President Sharma Parlett stated, “When I look at this building, there is such a feeling of pride that this community has been able to come together to work collaboratively with a vision of what’s best for our children, and for our community as a whole. I am very proud of this community for doing that. I also have a great sense of thankfulness and gratitude for those who have stayed the course with this project because it has not been easy to get through.”
Mike Foster, President of the Board of Directors for the Mahaska County YMCA, spoke last during the ceremony.
” Your YMCA is honored to operate this wonderful facility. Our partnership with the City of Oskaloosa and Oskaloosa Community Schools was ultimately made possible by the hundreds of gifts large and small, provided by members of our community including everyone from elementary school children to multinational corporations, families to foundations, small businesses to people who cannot be with us today, but believed in the importance of this facility for their children and grandchildren and generations yet to come,” said Foster.
Foster went on to say, “I must also specifically acknowledge the courage and foresight and vision of the community leaders who saw the need to develop the partnership, worked with the community to plan this wonderful facility, and raise the funding needed so that we can be standing here today. We gather today to say thank you to everyone who contributed money, time, expertise, prayers, and persistence to make this facility finally a reality. Thank you.”
The community was then able to tour the new facility, enjoy food trucks, and talk with community leaders about the process that lead to the grand opening.
