STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

In November 2007 the Wood River Community YMCA put the finishing touches on the first phase of its building plan, opening to patrons who couldn’t wait to hit the slide in its indoor pool, test their strength on its indoor climbing wall, stretch out in Richard Odom’s Hot Yoga class and climb mountains on its Elliptical machines.

It was meant to be a short pause before starting construction again in 2008. But the Great Recession of 2008 swept in, prompting people to tighten their purse strings. And Y staff were so overwhelmed by the number of people flocking through their doors that they had their hands full figuring out programming to take care of the demand.

Fast forward to today and the Y is ready to finish what it started. Only now it has a new mission as it seeks to address feelings of isolation and lack of access to programs that support mental well-being and behavioral health that the community says it needs.

The Y will present its preliminary plans for its expansion to the City of Ketchum’s Planning and Zoning at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at Ketchum City Hall.

“We’re super excited” said YMCA CEO Jason Shearer. “The YMCA’s volunteer board has done focus groups and talked with organizations like St. Luke’s Center for Community Health to develop the expansion and remodel plans. The big issues in this valley are also the big issues nationally and that’s loneliness and people having mental health and behavioral health challenges. And these challenges seem to be exacerbated in mountain towns with significant snowfall and short days.”

The 25,000-square foot expansion, which would also include remodeling of underutilized space, including the foyer and a couple small gym spaces, would include:

An indoor park-like play space for preschool and school age children

A fieldhouse where teens and adults can play soccer, basketball and pickleball indoors during inclement weather. It would also feature Blaine County’s first accessible indoor track where people can jog after work during darker months and where those recovering from a hip replacement can practice walking with a walker when it’s snowy outside.

An education and afterschool space that would include a literacy space and a STEAM space where youngsters can build volcano and take part in other science, technology, arts and math activities.

A teen center

Facilities and programs to promote active living, mental health and community engagement in older adults. It would, for instance, allow 30 tables for bridge, versus the 16 the Y can currently host. There would be expanded room for Mah Jong players, as well.

Greater capacity for things like the WIC program and blood drives.

Expanded medical partner and functional training space for those requiring such services as physical therapy. The Y currently offers a small space for John Koth.

“The idea is that we’re offering a lot of things that bring people together, whether pickleball or volleyball,” said Shearer. “When there’s five feet of snow on the ground, there is no place for young people run and play. The indoor park would give children a place to run around and play on a slide while their parents sit and talk. And it would give the world-class athletes that we have in this valley a place to train when they can’t outside.”

Cynthia Murphy, who chaired the original capital campaign and is back in the seat chairing this one, agreed: “Social interaction is so important. And that’s kind of how the Y started—because there was no place for kids to go.”

The YMCA started in 2000 not as a bricks and mortar building but as a mobile Y on Wheels, which Jason Fry drove to Balmoral and other playgrounds that did not have afterschool and summer programs for children.

The campaign committee wanted to build the Y in Hailey but, Shearer said, the City of Hailey wasn’t interested in having a large-sized building. In response, the City of Ketchum offered part of its Park & Ride lot, parts of which it also allocated to the Ketchum Fire Station and affordable housing.

“Mining created this community—originally this land was part of the Union Pacific Railroad yard,” said Shearer. “When mining folded, sheep saved the railroad. And, when the sheep dwindled, Union Pacific brought skiers here. But the property was condemned in the 1980s and purchased by the city to provide recreation, arts and culture.”

The Y broke ground after crews removed contaminated dirt left from the railroad yard.

Last year more than 12,000 people participated in Y programs. That includes 6,200 member and 6,000 adults and children who participated in Y programs even though they are not members.

The Y offered 60 programs this past year.

“We even provide afterschool programs in schools, offering help in science, math and other skills,” said Murphy.

The Y provides more than $1.6 million in privately funded program subsidies and financial assistance each year to ensure that no one is turned away due to inability to pay, said Murphy.

Among the beneficiaries are 4,000 second graders who have learned to swim in the free Make a Splash program since 2011. Other beneficiaries include those in the Parent Institute for Quality Education, which teaches parents what they need to know to help their children navigate through school to graduation.

“The Y is one of those few places you can go whether you can pay for it or not,” said Shearer.

The YMCA started fundraising for its expansion and remodeling project last summer, receiving its first donation in July, said Murphy. The Y can’t pinpoint just how much it will need until it’s finalized the details pending its meeting with P&Z and others.

But, Shearer said, the project will likely take about 16 months once the first space is turned.

“It’s exciting and the response is good,” said Murphy. “It feels like this is the right plan. And I think it will be even easier to fundraise this time because donors can see what’s here and how much impact it’s had. Our community thrives when we collaborate, and this project represents that same spirit—neighbors and local leaders working hand in hand to make this community an even better place to live, learn, and play.”

“From the start, this has been a community-driven effort—neighbors coming together to make a lasting difference for their neighbors,” added John Bailey, the board chair of the Wood River Community YMCA. “Our goal is to build on that legacy to serve the next generation.”

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Contact Jason Shearer at 208-928-6700.