White Bear Area YMCA Capital Campaign

Together, Building Healthy Communities Capital Campaign We are all here today because someone in our lives took care. We’re successful and strong because of special people in our lives — family, friends, teachers, coaches, role models, mentors, and just as important, those whom we never had the opportunity to thank and who “set the table”, shaping the institutions, facilities, and communities so important to all of us. Whether caring for our physical needs, helping us to develop our minds, or nurturing our souls – this is true community development at its best. We are so excited – not only is our goal to raise $725,000 for a state-of-the-art aquatics and diving facility, fitness areas, a teen/senior community center, and more, but our goal is also for all of us to come together, to take care of one another, and to enhance the wonderful, caring community we already have. This project is also critical for our neighborhoods, helping draw new families to the area, making it more attractive to seniors, creating jobs, and increasing property values. We have been so fortunate to build a unique partnership over the last three years in making this project happen, uniting municipalities, the local school district, and the YMCA of Greater St. Paul as the Northeast Community Partners. The facility, to be re-named the White Bear Area YMCA and White Bear Lake Area Schools YMCA Aquatic Center, will be complete in fall 2010. The aquatic center will yield tremendous benefi ts for our communities. • Our schools’ swim and dive teams will have a state-of-the-art facility in which to practice and compete • The YMCA will provide water safety and swimming lessons to our elementary public school children, guaranteeing water safety instruction as a basic element of public education for our community for the fi rst time • There will be water exercise programs for older adults, water fi tness and personal training options, and water therapeutics for those in need • The facility will feature recreational swimming, lap swimming, and much, much more The special Teen and Senior Center will provide wonderful new programs for two of our most important demographics. • It will provide a safe and healthy place for both our teens and seniors to gather. Teens will not have to be a Y member to use the teen center and take advantage of its many programs • The center will be a place for homework help, leadership mentoring, and friendships • The center will be a place teens and seniors can get health, nutrition and recreational needs met • The center will be a place seniors and our veterans can socialize; join in activities, an annual health fair, and a home-away-from-home which is especially important for those living alone Beyond these two wonderful components, this facility will also offer: • New family locker rooms, accessible restrooms, and locker rooms for all • An expanded fi tness center and group exercise studios • A facility that is now accessible for everyone, including an elevator • Income-based pricing program so everyone can afford to be participate To date we have raised 89% of the $6.675 million needed to complete this project. Our goal and task at hand is to raise $725,000 to be able to fund the fi nal phase of the project, which includes the addition of the Teen and Senior Center. With construction already underway, we must complete our campaign by April 30, 2010. For more information or to get involved with this important project, please contact Shane Hoefer at (651) 773-2646 or at shane.hoefer@ymcastpaul.org.

For information on our Wishbook please visit our website at www.whitebearareaymca.org.