Des Moines less than $1 million away from fundraising target to build north side rec center

With less than $1 million to go, Des Moines is closing in on its fundraising goal for replacement of the aging John R. Grubb Community YMCA with an $18 million community recreation center.

The project has received another $1.65 million in donations, reaching 87% of its $6 million fundraising goal, according to a news release from the city. The Des Moines City Council will vote Monday on whether to accept the funds and name two spaces at the future Reichardt Community Recreation Center after donors Mid-American Energy and Polk County.

“We are thrilled to announce these donations that are so critical to providing the amenities that this neighborhood requested and deserves,” Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page said in a statement. “This is a major signal that our community is stepping up and helping turn the vision of the Reichardt Community Recreation Center into a reality."

The 40,000-square-foot recreation center on the Grubb Y's north side site at 1611 11th St. and 1600 Ninth St. will house the first city-owned indoor pool, as well as a gymnasium, fitness space, community room and track. Its full scope will be determined by the amount of money raised for the project.

Based on current plans, the recreation center will be built on a part of the site that is now open space. The rest of the site — including Brian Melton Park and the current YMCA building — will become a mixture of parking and outdoor amenities like playscapes, sports courts and fields and green space, according to city spokesperson Peter Zemansky.

The city said its working to minimize any gaps in recreation programming for residents during the project. Since the new building won't be on the footprint of the Grubb YMCA building, it will allow the YMCA to continue operating during construction so long as it chooses to, Zemansky said.

The Reichardt recreation center is expected to open in 2026.

Last month, the City Council voted to accept a combined $3.57 million from six community donors, including a $1.2 million donation from the family of the center's namesake, John Douglas Reichardt, the retired head of Holmes Murphy Insurance and a longtime supporter of civic institutions, including the YMCA. The latest round of donations from four community donors brings the total up to $5.22 million, according to the city.

The city already has committed to paying $12 million toward the project, $9.5 million of which will come from its allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

List of major donors to new community center

Here are latest the donations along with the proposed naming rights:

• $1 million from Mid-American Energy. City Council will consider naming a community space the MidAmerican Energy Idea Lab.

• $500,000 from Polk County. The council will consider naming the fitness room for the county.

• $50,000 from Knapp Properties.

• $100,000 from the Gartner Family.

In addition to naming the center for Reichardt, honors for other donors include:

• The Patty and Jim Cownie Family Courts and Gymnasium, for the couple's $1 million contribution.

• The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Community Room, for the organization's $750,000 donation, $500,000 of which comes from its Catalyst Circle Grant.

• The Ruan Foundation Track for the foundation's $500,000 contribution to the walking track.

Among other major contributions:

• $100,000 from the W.T. and Edna M. Dahl Trust.

• $20,000 from the Lohse Family Foundation.

Those interested in donating may visit the project donation website through the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation at givedsm.org.

Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines less than $1 million from north side rec center funding goal