Renewed Itasca County Family YMCA serving residents of all ages

GRAND RAPIDS - Bernie Winger loves Itasca County Family YMCA activities so much that she visits four days a week.

"I come to exercise in the swimming pool, go to a Bible study and just spend time socializing," said Winger, of Grand Rapids. "It's a nice place to go. It's not like I have to go there, but I want to go. I enjoy it and have lots of fun."

A $6 million renovation, including 14,250 square-feet in new construction, has transformed the 33-year-old YMCA into a modern, bright, bustling hub of physical and social wellness activities for all ages.

The renovation is a collaboration of the Itasca County Family YMCA, ElderCircle, City of Grand Rapids, and 573 other public, private and individual supporters.

The collaboration was enriched when Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital opted to build a four-room clinic on site.

New construction includes a Kids Zone, where children are cared for while parents participate in "Y" activities, new cycle and mind-body studios, and a coffee bar. An after-school Youth Center and several activity spaces are renovated. The building's heating, ventilation and lighting systems are upgraded and UPM Blandin's waste stream water is used to heat domestic hot water. LED lighting improves energy efficiencies.

At the hub of the year-long renovation is construction of a 5,726 square-foot Active Living Center.

The Active Living Center, open at no cost to everyone, offers community members an array of wellness activities, technological learning, and continuing education.

One visit to the Active Living Center reveals that programming for the elderly isn't just about shuffleboard or Cribbage. It's about helping all community members maintain a stream of wellness activities and continuing education.

"We really want to be able to serve the generation that is retiring,' said Betsy McBride, Itasca Family YMCA executive director. "It's a place where people can check out an iPad and Skype their grandchildren, learn to do their banking online, and take classes that teach them new technology. "We're working to serve this new generation that wants continuing education and technology".

ElderCircle, a non-profit that helps maintain the independence of those 55 and over by linking them and their families to programs, services and volunteer opportunities, operates an adult day service at the Active Living Center.

The service offers care for up to six hours per day to persons who need a level of care which prohibits them from being left home alone. The service allows caregivers an opportunity to enjoy a respite from caregiving, continue work, and take care of their own medical appointments or other commitments. ElderCircle, which served 32,000 people in 2014, also moved its offices into the "Y" with the hopes of educating people earlier in their lives about aging services.

"There was a need to expand services to the growing aging population and what better place to do it than a place like this that is focused on wellness, and has 1,400 people walking through the door each day," said Kristi Kane, ElderCircle executive director. "Since moving here, we've had more inquiries, about programs and services, more drop-ins, and the number of individuals utilizing our Adult Day has grown".

The four-room clinic, operated by Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital, is located just inside the "Y's" east entrance and is a full-service primary care clinic staffed by three physicians.

The Active Living Center is a collaboration governed by a seven-person advisory council composed of YMCA, ElderCircle, City of Grand Rapids representatives, and a community member at-large. The project took five years to complete from the time the idea was conceived at a Blandin Community Leadership conference.

"Funds were raised from financial gifts from 576 foundations, businesses, local banks, service organizations, and individual donors, to fully fund and complete the project," said McBride.

Ten percent of Grand Rapids' population lives within a quarter mile of the YMCA, allowing a large number of residents from varying socio-economic backgrounds easy access to the facility, said Tom Pagel, Grand Rapids city administrator.

With the "Y" now buzzing with visitors of all ages, the project is a model of community, public, and private partnership. Other cities in the region are requesting visits to the facility to learn more about the collaborative success.

"Today, so many people are forcing collaboration," said Pagel. "But this is a true example of where it's really worked."

Pictured above: Elmer Voigt lines up a pool shot at the Itasca County Family YMCA Active Living Center as Duane Deal awaits his turn.