A rendering designed by Taylor Architects on the new building for the Piqua Branch of the Miami County YMCA. The YMCA plans to break ground on this new building in May.
Courtesy photo
By Sam Wildow
MIAMI COUNTY — The Miami County YMCA’s capital campaign for a new building at its Piqua Branch is within 90% of its fundraising goal with plans to break ground for the new building project in May.
The capital campaign was originally estimated at $15 million, but the costs have risen to an estimated $21.5 million for the project due to increased costs in materials and labor.
“Right now, we’re at 90% of that goal,” Campaign Chairman Steve Staley said.
The campaign contributions also include economic group Citywide Development Corp. contributing $9 million in New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) toward the project through the Dayton Region New Market Fund. The contributions were recently announced last week.
The NMTC program, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, attracts private capital into low-income communities by permitting individual and corporate investors to receive a tax credit against their federal income tax in exchange for making equity investments in specialized financial intermediaries called Community Development Entities (CDEs). The credit totals 39% of the original investment amount and is claimed over a period of seven years.
Construction is currently scheduled to begin in May, and the new facility is expected to open in 2024. H.A. Dorsten Inc. is the general contractor for the project, and Taylor Architects designed the new 76,379-square-foot location.
When the capital campaign was announced in July 2021, the Miami County YMCA had already raised approximately $11 million in donations toward the new building. The Miami County YMCA also, at that time, demolished three buildings across the street from its current Piqua Branch location at 223 W. High St. in Piqua. The new building will be constructed on that lot, and the current building will be demolished once the new facility is complete. A parking lot will be put in place of where the current building is located.
The main portion of the current Piqua Branch of the Miami County YMCA was constructed in 1963, and it replaced a building that had been on that corner since 1892. The current building was also expanded in 1977.
Miami County YMCA Board President Elizabeth Gutmann said the YMCA is “excited about the project” and also confident that they will secure the last 10% of their goal.
“We have all of our permits,” Gutmann said about the upcoming construction. “The city has been awesome.”
Jim McMaken, executive director of the Miami County YMCA, also commended the Miami County Department of Development for its work in aiding with the project. He also commended the capital campaign steering committee, which includes Staley, Gutmann, and Bill Fulker. Gutmann also noted contributions from Park National Bank and Minster Bank. They also thanked Margaret French and Mimi Crawford for their work on the Advance Leadership Division, Major Gift Division, and Family Divisions of the capital campaign.
With this project, the Miami County YMCA will be bringing its Piqua location “into the future,” Gutmann said.
The highlights of the new building include a 25-meter, six-lane pool; a diving pool with a diving board; a large gymnasium and fieldhouse; and two full-sized basketball courts. The fieldhouse will be netted with a turf area for sports like baseball, softball, and football to be played.
Accessibility is also a priority for the organization as leaders of the Miami County YMCA recognize they are serving an aging population. McMaken previously explained the YMCA’s demographics have changed significantly with over 30% of their members being people who are 65 years old or older. A large segment of the services they provide are now aimed at older adults, helping them maintain healthy lifestyles and the strong social connections they build at the classes the Miami County YMCA offers.
The new building will boast a larger therapy pool with a handicap-accessible, zero-entry ramp. They will also add a water feature to the swimming area for kids. The new facility will also offer family locker rooms to accommodate all needs.
The Miami County YMCA, at both locations, is accessible and available to everyone through use of financial assistance programs. Those in need can apply to have up to 90% of the membership costs covered.
If you would like to learn more about how the YMCA impacts the community or how you can make a contribution, contact Jim McMaken at (937) 773-9622 or [email protected]. There are also opportunities for named gifts in honor of or in memory of family and friends.
For more information about the project, visit miamicountyymca.net/capital-campaign.
