New YMCA construction is expected to start at Muncie Central campus within weeks
MUNCIE, Ind. – Construction of a new YMCA that will feature the combined resources of Muncie Community Schools, Ball State University and IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is set to begin within the month at the Muncie Central High School campus.
Last month, the community phase of a donor campaign commenced after an 18-month silent fundraising effort secured $25.1 million on the way to a $28.5 million goal to build the new YMCA. The public campaign aims to raise about $3.35 million with First Merchants Bank set to match each donation dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million.
A zoning variance was recently approved for construction of the new building, according to Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour, clearing the way for construction to start at Walnut and Columbus streets on the high school campus between the school building at the Muncie Fieldhouse.
Plan includes an aquatic center
Plans call for a 73,000-square-foot facility that will include the tradition amenities for the YMCA as well as a "competitive Aquatic Center" in partnership with Muncie Community Schools.
Under consideration is a clinic and educational space for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital with plans for Open Door Health Services and Ball State University’s Healthy Lifestyle Center, which is aimed to help individuals practice behaviors to improve personal health and well-being.
The new YMCA will also provide internship and professional experiences for students from Ball State, Ivy Tech Community College, Muncie Community Schools and the Muncie Area Career Center.
“This transformational community project is not just designing and building a new facility," Chad Zaucha, CEO of the YMCA of Muncie, said. "It’s about creating spaces that foster connection and support, providing necessary health, well-being, youth development and family services that will allow the people of Muncie/Delaware County to thrive for decades to come.”
First Merchants CEO Mark Hardwick served as co-chair of the capital campaign’s silent phase. He told Inside Indiana Business that fundraising drive was successful once the location for new building became set.
Hardwick told Inside Indiana Business that the IU Health Foundation was the largest single donor with a $5 million commitment. But a $2 million donation from Dan Towriss, CEO of Indianapolis-based Gainbridge, helped the campaign move toward its public phase.
Towriss, a Muncie Central graduate, has been a major donor to the baseball facilities at McCulloch Park as well as a longtime donor for BSU.
"Working together, all partners envision a deep and long-lasting impact on the individuals and families in Muncie and Delaware County," a press release from the YMCA said of the project.
The new facility will replace the Downtown YMCA located on Mulberry Street. In September 2022, the city, through the Muncie Redevelopment Commission, bought that building for $500,000 and has been leasing it back to the YMCA for a $1.
The half-million dollar purchase went toward the capital campaign for the new building.
The purchase was made so the city could control the future of the old YMCA site, said MCR President Jeff Howe. The Mulberry Street building is located near Canan Commons on the south end of downtown.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: YMCA building construction set to start in coming weeks
