New Lowell Area YMCA Announces Capital Campaign Leadership; Receives Lowell Community Foundation Grant
Capital Campaign to renovate former site of the Impact Church into YMCA
Grand Rapids, MI (June 2, 2020) – Progress continues for the future Lowell Area YMCA which has solidified its Capital Campaign leadership and received a $146,000 award from the Lowell Community Foundation to renovate the former site of the Impact Church.
The $500,000 capital campaign will be led by two individuals, 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 will serve as co-chairs to lead the fundraising efforts for the new Y.
“We are excited to serve as Capital Campaign Co-Chairs to create a new chapter for this building, for the YMCA that’s served our families for decades, and for the Lowell Area community of today and tomorrow,” Duimstra and Holdridge said.
The plans for the new Y include tripling 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.
In addition to the Capital Campaign Co-chairs, the new Lowell Area YMCA capital campaign committee includes the following individuals:
Pinky & Mac McPherson Sheila & Don Dubbink
MJ and Paul Berklich Curt Mulder
Dave VanKeulen
“We have the opportunity for a new beginning in Lowell, built on a foundation of support and dedication in this community over many decades,” said Scott Lewis, President/CEO, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. “We are excited to expand our offerings at the new location and are grateful to the Lowell Community Foundation for their generous support in helping to ensure that the Lowell community has access to wellness, recreation, and social support networks that are key to a healthy community life.
We’ve been a partner with the YMCA since the founding of our committee, and we know this project will have a long-term impact,” said Greg Pratt, Lowell Area Community Fund Chair and Lowell Superintendent. “We are excited what this does for the community as a whole, and we can’t wait to have this revitalized space where we can promote healthy living.”
For more than 60 years, the Lowell YMCA has been central to building a strong and integrated community that cares for people. Working in collaboration and partnership with many others, the Lowell YMCA has served Lowell and the surrounding communities through programs and services that strengthen the spirit, mind, and body of all.
The new Lowell Area YMCA is tentatively scheduled to open by the end of 2020. Renderings of the new facility will be shared in the coming weeks. Campaign updates will be added to the website at www.grymca.org/Lowell.
Lowell Area YMCA Project Highlights:
• 17,860 sq. foot facility
• Fully accessible Facility and Campus
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Equipment and Programming
• Facility Amenities to include: Group Exercise Studios, Health and Wellness Center, KidZone & Activity Center, Community Rooms, Locker Rooms and more
