WAUSAU – Area YMCAs are celebrating milestone anniversaries and new investments in the region.

The Woodson YMCA in Wausau is fundraising to fulfill plans for a $19 million expansion at the Wausau Branch. The Wausau Branch will later be connected to a new Aspirus Clinic downtown.

The John E. Alexander South Wood County YMCA is building new space to share with the Boys & Girls Club, so they can help more kids and adults reach their full potential.

And child care, community partnerships and greater access to healthy activities will be offered through the expansion and renovation underway at the Marshfield Clinic Health System YMCA.

According to the YMCA:

Building projects

  • Work continues on the $15 million expansion and renovation for the Marshfield Clinic Health System YMCA. Construction began in the fall of 2017. The project adds a new school age center, space for all day licensed child care and programming for teens in the Everett & Dolores Roehl Youth Center. An expanded state-of-the-art Healthy Living Center (with 24/7 access) will help more people achieve a healthy lifestyle with wellness consultation and fitness testing rooms, additional cardio and strength training equipment and renovated group exercise rooms. The Roehl Fieldhouse will provide facilities for indoor court/field sports and a running track, greatly expanding opportunities for team sports and sporting events. The entire project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2019.
  • To continue to serve a wide range of community health and wellness needs, the South Wood County YMCA partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of the Wisconsin Rapids Area to design a shared facility on the site of the former Rapids Mall. The $27.5 million project plan will house a new YMCA with an aquatic center, child care and sports field in addition to space for Boys & Girls Club programming. The project includes 18,000 square feet for the Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic at the former mall site. Construction began in late August 2018 with a projected opening date of February 2020.
  • In the first phase of the Woodson YMCA’s anticipated 20-month project, construction will begin in October on a 15,000-square-foot activity center for adults, ages 55 and older. This will provide dedicated space for wellness, recreation, education and socialization to ensure senior adults can thrive for years to come. The Aspirus Field House will also be constructed during the first phase of the project and will include a new gymnasium and upper level track. Business and community partnerships have so far pledged to invest $16 million toward the $19 million YMCA renovation project. The community phase of the campaign now needs to raise an additional $3 million toward plans to create a larger, remodeled child care to serve more than 50 additional families, expanded gymnastics space, state-of-the-art wellness center and universal locker areas.

Anniversaries

  • The Stevens Point Area YMCA will honor its 50th Anniversary on Sept. 26, (RSVP appreciated to [email protected] ). From 11 a.m. to noon, community members are invited to honor the Y’s 50 years of service to the community. The contributions of the founding leaders will be honored with a commemorative plaque unveiling, cake cutting and refreshments and proclamation by Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza. Join new CEO Sharon Johnson and share your Stevens Point Area YMCA memories of the past five decades.
  • The John E Alexander South Wood County YMCA has served the community since 1958 and is excited to be celebrating 60 years of operation this month.

Beginning Sept. 24, the YMCAs in Wausau, Stevens Point, South Wood County, Marshfield and Rhinelander will collaborate to encourage more community members to reach their potential and experience the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. Anyone who joins a central Wisconsin YMCA from Sept. 24 through Oct. 7 will get half off the first month’s membership and pay no joiner fee.