BOONE, Iowa—The Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater Des Moines has taken formal action to close the existing “Y” facility in Boone. The announcement was made in a letter on the website of the Des Moines YMCA under the Boone location.
August 27, 2019
Dear Boone County Family YMCA Members:
Over the past two years, officials from the YMCA of Greater Des Moines have held many meetings and discussions with individuals and organizations in the community regarding the future of the Boone County Family YMCA. After much study and deliberation, the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines has voted to close the Boone YMCA facility at the end of business on Friday, September 27, 2019.
This was not an easy decision, and it was not arrived at lightly. The Boone County Family YMCA has served the community at its current location for 14 years. Over that time, we have appreciated the support of many loyal members and staff dedicated to the YMCA cause of strengthening the foundations of community. Unfortunately, however, we are faced with a financial situation that is no longer sustainable, and an aging facility in need of immediate, costly repairs.
From its inception, the Boone YMCA has required a financial subsidy from the YMCA of Greater Des Moines in order to remain open. Membership, program revenue and contributed income have not kept pace with expectations. Over the past 10 years, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines has provided $945,000 to keep the Boone Y operating. The Boone Y facility, built in 1968, has a number of maintenance issues that have reached the critical point and require immediate attention, including new roofing, accessibility upgrades, fire alarm upgrades and electrical code compliance, among other items. These items, and more required expenditures, will run anywhere from $1.5 million to $2.3 million.
As a nonprofit organization, the YMCA relies on significant financial commitment from the community in order to operate; through many discussions with potential donors in the community, it has become evident that there is insufficient financial support in the community to undertake a major construction project for the Boone Y. Taking all these factors into account, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines has determined that the only viable course of action at this time is to close the facility.
We know this decision will come as a disappointment to the many members, volunteers, staff and donors who have supported our efforts in Boone. The board and staff of the YMCA appreciate how much the Y has meant to the community, and how much the community has meant to the Y.
The Boone Y will remain open through Friday, September 27, although hours and program offerings may be adjusted based on staff availability. All members with current mailing addresses on file will be receiving a letter in the next couple days outlining details of the closure, payment procedures and options for continuing membership. If you have questions about your membership, emailmembership@dmymca.org, and we will respond as soon as possible.
Thank you for your support of the YMCA.
Leisha Barcus
President & CEO
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Leisha.Barcus@dmymca.org
Following a City Council meeting in July, a committee was established to look into the feasibility of a locally operated rec center. That work has just begun.
