Greater Green Bay YMCA, Allouez plan to build $35 million facility; Capital Credit Union to partner with Y, too

Danielle DuClos, Green Bay Press-Gazette
·3 min read
Greater Green Bay YMCA CEO and President Sean Elliott announces the partnership between the YMCA and village of Allouez to build a new 80,000-square-foot YMCA facility in Allouez on Dec. 8, 2022 in Green Bay, WI. He also announced a partnership with Capital Credit Union to open a fifth YMCA facility in Ashwaubenon in the spring of 2023.
Greater Green Bay YMCA CEO and President Sean Elliott announces the partnership between the YMCA and village of Allouez to build a new 80,000-square-foot YMCA facility in Allouez on Dec. 8, 2022 in Green Bay, WI. He also announced a partnership with Capital Credit Union to open a fifth YMCA facility in Ashwaubenon in the spring of 2023.

ALLOUEZ ― The Greater Green Bay YMCA and the village of Allouez are launching a capital campaign next year to build a $35 million community center and facility on a 17-acre site in the village.

The YMCA and the village announced the partnership Thursday along with a Capital Credit Union collaboration to open a fifth YMCA facility in the Green Bay area in the spring.

Allouez and the YMCA entered a joint development plan Tuesday for the Allouez facility, which will be located on a 17-acre parcel of land at 2800 East River Drive. Currently the land is home to the Broadview soccer fields.

The 80,000-square-foot building will be home to a new village community center and will replace the current YMCA Allouez location at 380 Broadview Drive.

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The land will be transferred to the YMCA's ownership and groundbreaking for construction will start no sooner than when 60% of the $35 million capital target is raised.

"Simply put, these two new model partnerships will allow our respective organizations to advance our missions to impact and serve more kids, families and members of our community in a holistic and innovative way that our Green Bay community deserves," said Sean Elliott, the president and CEO of the Greater Green Bay YMCA.

The 17-acre parcel of land in the village of Allouez is the proposed site for the new $35 million YMCA facility and village community center. The space currently has soccer fields and is near the East River trail.
The 17-acre parcel of land in the village of Allouez is the proposed site for the new $35 million YMCA facility and village community center. The space currently has soccer fields and is near the East River trail.

There is no concrete timeline for when construction will be completed, but once sufficient funds are raised, the village and the YMCA plan to have the facility open within two years.

"From a building standpoint, we've slated 18 to 24 months from the time we stick a shovel in the ground to the time we plan to open the new facility," Elliott said.

The village and YMCA plan to dedicate two acres to the the building, four to five to a parking lot and the remaining 10 to outdoor recreational areas.

"The rest of the space, we want to continue to use and maintain the integrity that it's been used for for generations for kids and families, for athletic fields, YMCA fields, fields that the community can utilize at the site," Elliott said.

The Broadview YMCA location will be left vacant for a year as the YMCA transitions to the new facility and the building will then be transferred to the village.

Jim Rafter, president of Allouez, said there is no plan for the Broadview building, yet.

"We don't know what's going to happen," he said. "That land opened up for more development, other opportunities ― we just haven't gotten there yet."

The Ridge YMCA at Capital Credit Union will open in spring 2023

As for the fifth YMCA facility that's being built in partnership with Capital Credit Union, it will be housed on the third and fourth floors of the Capital Credit Union building at 1121 W. Main Ave. in Ashwaubenon.

It will be called The Ridge YMCA at Capital Credit Union. The new YMCA will be an adult-only facility for members ages 19 and older.

There will be cardio and strength-building equipment, group exercise classes, personal training and child care for members while they workout. There will be two locker rooms each with a sauna, whirlpool and steam room.

For an additional $10 a month, members can get 24/7 access to the location.

A sketch of the third floor of the new The Ridge YMCA at Capital Credit Union that is scheduled to open in the spring of 2023.
A sketch of the third floor of the new The Ridge YMCA at Capital Credit Union that is scheduled to open in the spring of 2023.

In partnership with Capital Credit Union, the company will be offering financial education programming to all YMCA locations.

"How we can bring services, meet the needs of our growing communities, but bringing that financial fitness with physical fitness, the two just a partner really well," said Laurie Butz, thepresident and CEO of Capital Credit Union.

Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr., PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: YMCA, village of Allouez announce plans for new $35 million facility