Garrett Ross, CEO of the Ottumwa YMCA, talked about future changes to the building.
The Ottumwa YMCA was established in 1887 and throughout its history has only used three buildings. The current facility was completed in 1970 and has been the longest running YMCA in Ottumwa.
“I wish I had a dime over the last four years every time I’ve had a member, or a community member, come up to me and say ‘hey when are we getting a new Y’ ‘ when are we doing this, when are we doing that’ obviously that is an expensive endeavor.” Garret Ross, CEO of the Ottumwa YMCA
For the past six months, the YMCA Board of Directors have worked with the company GRO, which primarily works with YMCA’s across the United States. The Board of Directors have asked and answered questions concerning the next steps for a new building. Ross’s main goal is to provide the accessibility and relevance that the community needs for years in advance.
“How do we improve and make sure that this facility and our YMCA and programming is relevant to Ottumwa and Wapello county for the next 20 years? we’ve got to be thinking about that in both function, operation, and usability.” Garrett Ross, CEO of the Ottumwa YMCA
Ross and his staff want to be a part of the community’s growth.
“We are working. Know that we are working, and probably within the next 6 months you’ll be seeing the fruits of the effort, labor, and thought put in by the Board of Directors and by GRO and by all of our staff team. [We want] to make sure there is a bright and vibrant future for the YMCA in our community that is going to help build in the rising tide that is happening here in our community.” Garrett Ross, CEO of the Ottumwa YMCA
The YMCA is making big moves in order to better serve the community and appreciates the positive feedback from the community according to Ross.
