Indianola, Iowa – The YMCA of Greater Des Moines and the City of Indianola have reached an agreement to transition the operation of the facility currently housing the Indianola YMCA to the City.
The Indianola City Council on Thursday evening approved an amendment to terminate the existing 28-E Agreement between the City and the YMCA of Greater Des Moines and begin the process of transitioning the operation of the facility to the City, which owns the building. The Board of Directors of the YMCA had approved the transition agreement at a meeting earlier in the day. The transition is scheduled to take effect July 30.
Financed with tax-exempt city bonds, construction of the 62,000-square-foot fitness facility began in 2011. The facility opened in August 2013 as a branch of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, a nonprofit organization.
“Many individuals and organizations in the community came together to make the vision of the Indianola YMCA a reality, and we all had very high hopes for its success,” said Leisha DeSmet, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. “However, since its opening, the Indianola Y has required an annual financial subsidy from the YMCA in order to operate. While this was anticipated and planned for in the early years, the expectation was that over time, the branch would generate enough revenue through memberships, programs and charitable contributions to cover its expenses. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of the Y, it’s board, staff and volunteers, this has not been the case.
“While we regret that the Y will no longer be part of the Indianola community, we remain grateful to the members, volunteers, employees and donors who supported our efforts over the past decade,” DeSmet said.
DeSmet noted that annual operating deficits at the Indianola branch were also exacerbated by the loss in membership caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which mandated the closure of the facility for two months.
Ben Reeves, Indianola City Manager, said city officials held many discussions with the YMCA over the course of the last few years, and ultimately determined that transitioning the operations of the fitness facility to the City of Indianola was the best option for the benefit of the community and its residents.
“Not only is this facility a community asset that enhances the health and wellness of our residents, it’s also a significant amenity and economic development feature that has been cited as a benefit to prospective commercial and industrial employers in our area,” Reeves said. “The welfare of the community, both immediately and in the long term, was uppermost in the minds of the City Council and staff who worked on the transition plan, and our staff are well-positioned to take over operations.”
The City of Indianola and the YMCA are working closely on the details of the transition to ensure minimal disruption for those who want to continue their membership at the City of Indianola facility or at one of the other YMCA branches in the metro area. Indianola Y members have been notified of the transition plan and will receive communication in the next 30 days with additional details, DeSmet said.
The transition is anticipated to take place at the end of July 29, 2023. The Indianola Y currently has about 1,800 membership units and 103 full- and part-time employees.
About the YMCA of Greater Des Moines
The YMCA of Greater Des Moines is an association of people of all ages and from all walks of life, united by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community. The Y serves more 75,000 citizens from communities throughout central Iowa and operates five YMCA fitness communities, the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus in downtown Des Moines and Y Camp resident camp in Boone. For more than 150 years, the Y has remained dedicated to its mission of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Find out more at www.dmymca.org.
About the City of Indianola
Indianola is a city in Warren County, Iowa, located 14 miles south of Des Moines. The City of Indianola is home to Simpson College and serves more than 15,800 residents and numerous visitors who come to explore Indianola’s vibrant downtown, restaurants, shops, parks, cultural attractions—such as the Des Moines Metropolitan Opera—and events, including the National Balloon Classic and the Warren County Fair. To learn more about the City of Indianola, click here.
YMCA Contact
Ruth Comer
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Office: 515.471.8519
Ruth.Comer@dmymca.org
City of Indianola Contact
Benjamin Reeves
City Manager
City of Indianola
Office: 515.962.5274
breeves@indianolaiowa.gov