“It’s a very long process,” said Jennifer Melson, YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth Vice President of Development. “But we have had good progress. We have really great support in the community. We still have a good list of advocates from the community that are well positioned to help us open doors…and gain new interest and support.” Due to the fact that the YMCA is a nonprofit organization, projects like this are made possible through outside financial support and funding, which is why community support and involvement make a difference.
Next steps for the Y can begin once funding is complete, which is more than 20 million dollars, for purchasing of the building and renovation. “ I can tell you that we are on pace,” Melson said.
The YMCA team and other supporters are at work to get the word out about the initiative and keep the pace at an upward incline. They want to find anyone interested in learning more and helping raise money towards the purchasing and renovation of the building.
“We had sent out some packets of information to community stakeholders that are in a position to maybe give some private funding. And we have a handful of advocates still in the area that are opening doors, scheduling some meetings with their contacts, but also inviting us to some meetings so that we can meet people and share the vision forward,” said Melson.
The facilities available inside the YMCA will depend on the potential funders and final renovation plans; however, there are talks about aquatics, fitness and wellness center, impact gymnasium, youth and teen center, senior center, kitchen, conference center and athletics field.
“As soon as we start achieving the goals towards purchasing the building and also paying for staff leaders to be able to work in that community, then we’ll be able to really start to expand those plans,” said Melson.
As of right now, the building stands as the “blue roof building,” but it will eventually hold a more vital community staple. “We hope to be able to support the community in many ways. We want to be there to support youth and their development, social responsibility, and health and wellness,” said Melson. “We want to be a place of inclusion.” Once complete, the YMCA in Parker County project goal is to “bring the community and families together through fitness, sports, and fun and shared interest.”
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