Wichita, Kansas — The Greater Wichita YMCA has successfully completed a $2 million challenge grant from the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation to support the Hutchinson YMCA capital campaign. In order to receive the funds, the Y was required to raise an additional $7 million by October 2025. The completion of the goal marks yet another milestone in the construction of a state-of-the-art Hutchinson Y facility, which will serve as the new front door to health care delivery systems in Hutchinson.
"The fact that we are able to say, ahead of schedule, that we have secured a $2 million challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation speaks to the support and commitment the community has for the Y, and we’re incredibly thankful,” said Mike Folks, Hutchinson YMCA Board Chair. “Our entire community came together to make this possible, and we can’t wait for the doors to open."
Construction of the 75,000-square-foot Hutchinson Y began in January at the intersection of 20th Street and Lorraine on land that was donated to the Y through a partnership with Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System. It is scheduled to open in 2026.
“We are extremely grateful to the Mabee Foundation, our other invaluable partners and the community-at-large who embraced our vision and made it their own,” said Ronn McMahon, Greater Wichita YMCA President and CEO. “We’re building more than walls. It’s about creating an even healthier and more connected future for Reno County residents, where all children and adults feel welcome and where first-rate youth development, family engagement and health and wellness opportunities are within everyone’s reach.”
The new Hutchinson Y will include a first-class destination aquatics center, indoor track, gymnasium, expanded gymnastics center, fitness center with studios, community room, additional places for families to connect and programs that provide safe spaces for youth. The availability of income-based financial assistance allows the Y to break down financial barriers to ensure that every individual and family has the opportunity to participate in its year-round life-changing programs and services.
###
ABOUT THE GREATER WICHITA YMCA
Since 1885, The Greater Wichita YMCA has been volunteer-led and mission driven to pro-mote healthy lifestyles, strong families and positive youth development for all in South Central Kansas. Today, we employ more than 1,400 individuals and serve well over 300,000 of our neighbors in Butler, Harvey, McPherson, Reno and Sedgwick Counties. We support a healthy spirit, mind, and body through community development, education and wellness initiatives, youth and family programs, licensed child care and camp, and physical activity. Our more than 190,000 members have access to over one million square feet of fitness space across our 12 area branch locations in Andover, El Dorado, McPherson, Newton, Hutchinson and Wichita as well as four seasonal, outdoor water parks, three indoor/outdoor sports complexes, Camp Hyde and Camp Hiawatha. Our annual Strong Community Campaign, which funds our free and reduced-cost programs and enables scholarships, grants and in-come-based member and program pricing for those who qualify, allows us to honor our commitment to serve all, regardless of their ability to pay. Learn more at ymcawichita.org.