We received the following press release from the YMCA.
Grand Rapids, MI (Feb 9, 2022) – The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is pleased to announce renovations are underway for the Litehouse Family YMCA with a targeted opening for late 2022.
After launching fundraising efforts in March of 2020, the capital campaign committee exceeded its fundraising goal in the fall of 2021 and entered an RFP process that selected Erhardt Construction to lead the renovation at the former site of the Impact Church. With increased supply chain demands and construction costs through COVID, the committee is continuing fundraising efforts to bridge a final funding gap while renovations are underway.
The site was purchased in late 2019 through an endowment left by the Frank Twining King Memorial Fund and community support followed. The naming gift from Litehouse, Inc. was announced in May of 2021 as the project became the Litehouse Family YMCA.
The capital campaign was led by Ray Duimstra, long-time Y supporter and Corporate Development and Strategic Acquisition Director for Crystal Flash, and Jason Holdridge, Lead Pastor at Impact Church and long-time Y member. Duimstra and Holdridge served as co-chairs to lead the fundraising efforts for the new Y and worked closely with the committee to raise the financial support for renovations to begin.
“It was powerful to see the community unite behind a project that will bring more wellness opportunities, more family time, more play, and more collaboration to the Lowell area,” Duimstra and Holdridge said. “During these past two years, we witnessed a shared commitment to services, like those provided at the Y, that help communities thrive.”
When complete, the new Y will triple the square footage of the current facility to more than 17,000 square feet, adding comprehensive health and wellness equipment, and including programming for all ages. Facility amenities include group exercise studios, a health and wellness center, KidZone and activity center, community rooms, locker rooms, chapel, and welcome area for community gathering.
Lowell YMCA Program Center Director Marta Rozema shared her excitement for the expanded amenities made possible because of members, donors, and supporters. “There is so much to look forward to with the future opening of the Litehouse Family YMCA,” Rozema said. “We have an incredible opportunity to serve more children and families, walking alongside them and providing support for a healthy lifestyle.”
The committee and YMCA staff thank Lowell area foundations, businesses, and individual donors for making the project possible.
To learn more about the project and donors, visit www.grymca.org/lowell.
All photos courtesy of the YMCA.
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