Study shows need for regional YMCA
Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006
BENTONVILLE — A YMCA is now a possibility in Bentonville. "What do we need to do next?"asked Mayor Terry Coberly excitedly on Tuesday.
In a meeting at the Bentonville Convention and Visitors Bureau, YMCA officials released the results of a feasibility study conducted here in late April.
The study involved 32 faceto-face interviews with local residents to determine if there is a need and sufficient support for a YMCA in northwest Arkansas, said Jenny Holweger. Holweger is executive director of the Freeman Family Southwest YMCA in Neosho, Mo. Benton County falls under the Neosho YMCA’s service area, she said.
In the interviews, 23 people said there is a "great"need for a YMCA, Holweger said. Residents have limited or no options for adult, family and aquatic programs. "There’s a wide variety of youth sports in the area — you name it, it’s here — but there was frustration as far as coordination and where to find those things. … Current facilities available are limited, and fields are busy."
The community also has strengths that would complement a YMCA, Holweger said, listing strong volunteer leadership, financial resources and a strong sense of community. "People rally around a cause (here),"she said.
The meeting was well-attended with excited community leaders and those involved in youth sports. When Mayor Coberly said," Let’s sign up,"Holweger joked," I should’ve brought membership applications."
The next step is to form a board of managers of nine to 24 volunteers who would largely set the stage for the YMCA’s future, location and programs. During the interviews, 73 people were suggested for the board of managers, Holweger said.
To fully kick off a YMCA, the board would need roughly $400,000, which could later be rolled into a capital building campaign, Holweger said.
The group also discussed regionalism. While the national YMCA organization would like to see this as a regional effort, the board must consider how far people will drive for services, Holweger said. Many Bentonville interviewees suggested that the Jones Center for Families in Springdale is too far a drive, she said.
Others asked about children being able to walk or ride a bike to a future facility. "I think there’s a potential danger in trying to look at a regional approach right off the bat,"Community Development Director Troy Galloway said. "I’d hate to see our first effort be a regional Y in Lowell trying to serve the entire area,"which could include Benton and Washington counties.
Another option is to start a large, core facility in Bentonville, with room for growth, and build satellite centers in smaller communities as the need arises, Holweger said.
Mayor Coberly agreed. "That was my concept — to begin here and grow as needed,"she said.
Besides determining the location of the new YMCA, the board of managers will also consider the community’s needs. "As a person living in Bentonville who doesn’t work at Wal-Mart, I want a Wal-Mart Fitness Center for me,"said Patty Craig, who is also co-director of Bentonville Upward Basketball. Craig said her friends brag about the swimming lessons, classes and quality childcare of the fitness center, but there are no options like that for her family.
For more information about becoming a member of the board of managers, contact Holweger at (417) 455-9999 or jholwege@crowder. edu.
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