The Young Men’s Christian Association or YMCA, a historical landmark in Springfield in its own right, is deeply rooted in this community, having supported the physical, health, programmatic and social needs of this community as well as that of surrounding area communities for the last 135 years. 
 
But the current 50-year-old facility located on 4th and Cook streets, just can’t seem to keep up with the ever-expanding population growth and geographical reaches of the communities it serves.  For some, the location is too far, for others, there isn’t enough room for parking, and others still, need a permanent location for outdoor games such as soccer etc.
 
So when Don Darnell was hired in 2004 as the new executive director for the Springfield YMCA, he had his hands full in determining how to solve the many challenges facing the aging facility.  But Darnell was not daunted, as he had spent the last 34 years in various positions with the YMCA and while serving as the Vice President of Operations for the YMCA of Southwest Illinois, had experienced several capital campaigns which resulted in  the construction of new buildings . Through the years he had also gone through a merging of associations, program expansions and the many facets that go along with managing a YMCA. 
 
When Darnell, the 56-year-old Cahokia native, arrived on scene he familiarized himself with daily operations, and then began assessing the needs of the community, conducted a feasibility study and began evaluation of the staff, board, leadership and programs to determine what changes would be necessary to improve the way the Springfield YMCA serves her community. 
 
 The scores from these evaluations and studies showed that one location was no longer enough to serve a community this size and that the current location will eventually either need to be rebuilt or at the very least refurbished.  It was determined that the ever-growing southwest side of Springfield would likely be able to support a new facility on that end of town.  It was also not surprising to learn that there weren’t enough lap pools to support the entire Springfield and surrounding areas.  Currently there are only 10 public indoor lap lanes; six at Eisenhower and four at the Y.  With this information, as well as many other recommendations, Darnell and the YMCA Board initiated the first phase of a capital campaign to raise funds for a new facility.  And while a second facility is still necessary, the current location will continue to function as is while the new facility gets under way. 
 
The new $18 million dollar project will be a one-story structure, which will be situated on a 40-acre lot across from Rotary Park on Iles and Archer Elevator roads on the Southwest side of Springfield. The new facility will have ample parking, includes 18 acres for soccer and other athletic fields and will be handicap accessible.  The building will feature a child-care center, a large cardio room, a multi-purpose room for aerobics, Tae-Kwon-Do and other classes, while the centerpiece of the facility is the aquatics center with a warm water therapy family fun center with a ‘lazy river’ and zero percent entry as well as 3 lanes for instruction and recreational swimming.  An 8 lane second pool will include space for lap swimming, competition, and ample spectator viewing.      
 

MORE>>