$25 Million Y Capital Campaign — Largest-Ever in Michigan — Wraps Up Public Phase
JACKSON, Mich., May 16, 2022 – The Jackson YMCA has announced additional funding in the campaign for a new downtown YMCA, as well as a new exterior design.
$3 Million in Federal Funding
When President Joe Biden signed the omnibus bill into law earlier this year, the Jackson YMCA learned it would receive $3 million for the new Y. For the past year, YMCA leaders have worked with a number of local and national leaders, including Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s office, to secure federal funding for the project. The unprecedented award further closes the YMCA’s funding gap, sending the campaign over its original $25 million goal. Funding for the Jackson YMCA and other Ys across the country was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. Federal funding for the Jackson Y was among the largest awarded to a YMCA. “We are thankful for the advocacy and effort provided by an inspiring cross-section of local, state and national officials to help the Y secure this funding,” said Jackson YMCA CEO Shawna Tello. “The fact that the dollar amount raised in our campaign is the largest-ever for a YMCA in Michigan stands as a testament to the people and potential of
Jackson.” She added that while conversations continue with private donors, Y leaders and volunteers are celebrating the campaign.
Campaign Update and Design
In late 2021, Y volunteer and staff leadership announced their decision to address emerging community needs, rising member expectations and collaborative opportunities by combining
Current Jackson YMCA facility:
Current Jackson YMCA facility
Bottom: This rendering from Bergmann depicts a transformed YMCA, as seen looking southwest from W. Wesley St.
the benefits of new construction with adaptive reuse of portions of the existing facility. Over the last five-plus months, the YMCA’s campaign leaders and volunteers have worked closely with construction manager Granger Construction Co., architect/engineer Bergmann and Gro Development, a national leader in the development, design, and management of YMCAs.
To determine the viability of the existing facility, a Physical Condition Assessment (PCA) was completed in early 2022. The PCA has informed the budget development efforts of Granger as well as the design and adaptive reuse work of Bergmann. With budget and design work nearly finalized, Bergmann has completed a rendering of the exterior of the new and renovated YMCA. The image shows the new Y entrance directly east of the existing south-facing entrance on W. Wesley Street.
“We’ve retained some of the most capable companies in the country who specialize in this work,” said Jason Vasaris, a Y board member and chair of the Building & Design Committee. Vasaris is a Project Manager – Real Estate Acquisition for Consumers Energy. “We are proud of their work and support the plan for executing this vision for the Jackson community.”
Additional updates will be released this summer upon completion of the budget and design work.
Campaign coffee hours
To share the Y’s vision for a better Jackson and to answer questions, YMCA CEO Shawna Tello will be available during “community coffee hours”, May through July. Those wishing to participate are welcome to ask questions about the YMCA’s capital campaign, as well as Y membership, programming, or other topics. Coffee and conversation with Shawna Tello will be available at the Jackson YMCA on the following days and times:
Tuesdays, May-July
• May 31, 7-8:30 am
• June 28, 4-5:30 pm
• July 26, 9-10:30 am
For more information, visit www.JacksonYMCA.org.
***
About the Jackson YMCA
Since 1896 the Jackson YMCA has worked to provide opportunities for individuals of all walks of life.
The Y serves menand women of all ages, religions and economic backgrounds through programs
focused on youth development, healthyliving, and social responsibility. A volunteer board of
directors provides leadership to the Association, a member of the national organization: The YMCA
of the USA. Visit www.JacksonYMCA.org.
