NEW BREMEN– The New Bremen-New Knoxville Rotary Club recently donated $15,000 to the Auglaize-Mercer Family YMCA for the ongoing Capital Campaign the Y is running.
The funds will cover the cost of refinishing the gymnasium floor at the YMCA branch between Minster and New Bremen.
“We wanted the money to go to something that would impact as many members as possible,” said Sandy Thieman, NB-NK Rotary Club President. “By paying to refinish the gym floor, we’re able to help guarantee that the YMCA Youth Basketball program has a great place to play ball for years to come.”
Thieman noted that the board recently voted to approve the donation and the members are thrilled to be able to contribute to the YMCA Capital Campaign.
“It is an expensive operation, running two large athletic and fitness facilities,” said Allen Baskett, Auglaize-Mercer Family YMCA CEO. “It is a significant boost to our operation when local service clubs can step up like these folks did.”
Baskett noted that the YMCA facility in Celina is over 30 years old and the YMCA facility in Minster is over 20 years old. “It’s simply time to make repairs, upgrades and renovations,” said Baskett. “Pools, gyms, racquetball courts, HVAC systems all experience wear and tear over time and it is expensive to fund our capital needs.”
The Auglaize-Mercer YMCA is presently in the midst of a $1.6 million fundraising effort. Baskett explained that the Auglaize-Mercer Family YMCA hasn’t conducted a capital campaign of this size in over 15 years.
“The membership and program fees we collect on a regular basis pay for our day-to-day operations,” Baskett explained. “This fundraiser will cover the cost of major repairs, upgrades and renovations.”
Baskett said that they have already purchased new outdoor signage and message boards, new spinning bikes and a new HVAC system for the racquetball courts at the Celina facility with donated funds. They are about to begin renovating two locker rooms at the YMCA in Minster, and have plans to do much more work as funds are donated.
“We’re grateful to the Rotary Club for their generous donation,” said Scott Frey, President, Auglaize-Mercer Family YMCA Board of Directors. “This club has been a strong supporter of the YMCA for years, and we’re thrilled that they’ve chosen to support us again.”
