By Lucky Kidd
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Before what was described as perhaps the largest crowd ever to attend such an event, ground was formally broken Wednesday afternoon for the new Hutchinson YMCA to be located just east of 20th and Lorraine. Several representatives from the Hutchinson Y, along with the Greater Wichita YMCA, which the Hutchinson Y is now affiliated with, joined with city officials and many members of the community for the event.
The 10-acre site for the new Y was donated by Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, whose President and Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Anderson spoke of the impact the YMCA had on him, especially at a time when his family had broken up and moved from California to Springfield, Missouri. Anderson said he had been given a day pass to the Y in south Springfield, which given his family’s financial state at the time was the only way he could have gone there. As it turned out, he was given a membership, and that played an important role in his life prior to graduating from high school.
Fast forward 30 years, and when Hutchinson YMCA branch director David Foster contacted him about donating land for the project, he did not hesitate to take this request to the HRHC board which was very supportive of it. Anderson noted this in many ways will serve as a new “front door” to health care delivery systems in Hutchinson providing a partnership through which services can be accessed.
Hutchinson Mayor Greg Fast said this $30 million project is an example of what can happen when people come together. He thanked Foster and Anderson for their leadership, vision and collaboration in making this dream a reality. “In our city, it is clear the more we work together, the more great things happen,” the mayor said, adding an expression of thanks to all those who have donated towards the project, work which will have an impact for generations.
The collaborations that make this project possible were also touched on during remarks by Hutchinson YMCA Board Chair and retired USD 308 Superintendent of Schools Mike Folks, including that of past and current board members, including their time, commitment, leadership, and especially their decision to join with the Greater Wichita Y.
Bob Fee, whose family has been involved with the YMCA for generations and currently on the Greater Wichita YMCA board, spoke of the many partnerships it has been involved with over the years, including that with the school district that led to construction of the present Y in 1964, and later with the city when it expanded the facility in the late 1990’s, along with the long partnership with high school swimming programs in the area.
In his remarks, Fee also expressed appreciation to the Dillon family, and in particular Brad Dillon, for their financial and other support that made the project possible, noting that in addition to his leadership, Brad “puts his money where his mouth is.”
Greater Wichita YMCA President and CEO Ronn McMahon said the timing of Benjamin Anderson coming to Hutchinson and his work to provide the land for the new facility has been an amazing strength.
The 75,000 square foot facility will include a destination water aquatic center, gymnasium, a kid’s zone. Simpson Construction is the general contractor for the project, designed by Schafer Architecture. McMahon said construction is expected to take about 18 months, with an opening expected in 2026 which will be the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Hutchinson YMCA.
More photos of the event can be viewed on the Ad Astra Radio Facebook page.
