Wichita, Kansas — The Greater Wichita YMCA and Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System (HRHS) announced today a partnership that will bring a new state-of-the-art Hutchinson YMCA facility to Reno County. The future 75,000-square-foot Y branch will be located on land donated by HRHS to the Y near the intersection of 20th Street and Lorraine; it will replace the Hutchinson Y’s current location at 716 E 13th Ave.
The announcement marks the official public launch of a capital campaign for the estimated $30 million project that will be led by Hutchinson Y campaign chair and prominent community leader Brad Dillon.
“I am passionate about bringing a new state-of-the-art YMCA to Hutchinson and even more excited about working with Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System,” Dillon said. “The Y impacts individuals from all walks of life and serves as a community hub for all to come together for positive activities and social engagement.”
The collaboration advances both the Hutchinson Y’s and HRHS’ shared commitment to strengthening the health and well-being of individuals and families in the surrounding area.
“For decades, the Hutchinson YMCA has served as a vibrant touchstone in our community for both individual and group wellness, as well as a major source of social engagement. The past several years, YMCA leadership and key community stakeholders have worked diligently to expand facilities and offerings to the community,” said Allen Fee, HRHS Board Chairman. “Once the YMCA approached HRHS to work with them to make appropriate ground available for the pending construction and expansion of a new state-of-the-art facility, which will positively impact Central Kansas for generations, it was an easy decision by our board to partner with the YMCA. It is with a great deal of optimism and anticipation that we look forward to both building upon our existing relationship, as well as forging new and creative pathways and partnerships with the YMCA.”
Benjamin Anderson, HRHS President and CEO, added: "The future of community health rests on our collective ability to proactively prevent illness rather than provide reactive care when people become sick. Preventing disease before it happens can reduce its severity and help curb the costs to treat it. Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System realizes the impact the YMCA has already made on central Kansans and its potential to expand its mission in Reno County. We are honored to help make this work possible through this special partnership."
The planned Hutchinson YMCA 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 along with a planned child care center. This initial phase of the Y/HRHS partnership allows for future development to continue to transform the 9.9 acres of land into a health and wellness destination.
“The YMCA is committed to its mission to put Christian principals into practice through programs that promote healthy lifestyles, strong families and positive youth development to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all, regardless of ability to pay,” said Ronn McMahon, Y President and CEO. “We believe that by partnering with Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System and leveraging our combined strengths and resources, we can amplify our reach and impact to create additional programming and activities that promote holistic health and wellness in the community.”
A groundbreaking for the facility is planned for later this year.
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ABOUT THE GREATER WICHITA YMCA
Since 1885, The Greater Wichita YMCA has been volunteer-led and mission driven to promote 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, Kingman, 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 and the entire community have access to over one million square feet of fitness space across our 11 area branch locations in Andover, El Dorado, Newton, Hutchinson and Wichita as well as four seasonal, outdoor water parks, two 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 income-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.
ABOUT THE HUTCHINSON REGIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
The Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC) provides compassionate, high-quality healthcare to residents of Reno County, Kansas, and the surrounding area. The Hospital is an affiliate of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, including Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation, Hospice & Homecare of Reno County, Health-E-Quip, and Horizons Mental Health Center. Learn more at www.hutchregional.com.