The Mahaska County YMCA Officially Welcomes New Executive Director

Mahaska County YMCA Executive Director Eric Christensen.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Stepping into a new job is usually a fairly uncomfortable thing, but when the eye of the public is on you, it can be a little more nerve wracking.

Eric Christensen is the new Executive Director at the Mahaska County YMCA, and he said that the community has been very welcoming. “I’ve felt right at home since day one.”

Christensen, who’s background is in parks and recreation, said that there is a lot for him to learn, as he is new to the “Y system”.

Of what attracted him to the position, “I really like the mission of the Y and their values,” says Christensen.

“I’m very much a community-minded person,” added Christensen. “I believe that the strength of the community is in its partnerships.”

He hopes to put his prior success with partnership in other places to work here in Oskaloosa and Mahaska County.

With a new recreation center on the horizon for Oskaloosa, keeping the community and partners informed is important in order to keep the project moving forward. “I know they [the public] are excited for a new facility. I think the community is definitely ready for that.”

Programming at the Y, and maybe some changes there, are some of those initial things that Christensen will be looking at. “I think there is a lot of opportunity for us to grow programs that will fit the needs of the residents of the community. And not just for members, but for non-members also. I think there’s definitely opportunity for the Y to provide some of those programs.”

Adult sports, and even arts and craft types of programs, are on the table for Christensen. “Kind of a holistic approach.”

The changes would see some of Christensen’s past experiences in park and recreation making their way into the Y. “I feel like there are some niche opportunities.”

Christensen comes to Oskaloosa from Rochelle, Illinois. His son is a senior in high school, and he and Christensen’s wife will be joining him in Oskaloosa in the near future.

Additional reporting by Staff