DILLON - Dillon’s humble YMCA is thinking big by adding a 15,000 square foot gymnasium and summer camp room.
“We knew that if we wanted to expand our programming and have a larger impact in the community, then we really needed to add a gymnasium,” said YMCA CEO Todd Rouse.
The gym is the first phase of the $3 million project that will include basketball courts and an elevated running/walking path.
“It’s not just about basketball, but it’s about all the other sports: volleyball, indoor tennis, pickleball, a lot of different things like that we can offer the community,” said Rouse.
The YMCA has been raising money for the project over the past two years, with the hope that the added gym will increase membership.
“We look to increase our membership by 50 to 60 percent just because of this gymnasium coming in, just because we’re giving kids another opportunity of something to do, and a whole family can come in and mom and dad can workout and kids can go into the gym. And it’s something now that Dillon’s never had,” said YMCA Financial Director Crissie Hansen.
The coronavirus has certainly made it a challenge to raise money for this massive project, but the public has been very generous, and they say this gym is going to be a real asset to the community.
“The generosity from the community has been great. I mean, we’ve had some bigger donors come in and we can’t even express our gratitude,” said Hansen.
The gym is expected to be completed in November. A groundbreaking ceremony will be Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Dillon YMCA.
