Wichita, Kansas — The Greater Wichita YMCA today announced an exciting new phase of the Hutchinson YMCA capital campaign with the receipt of a generous $2 million challenge grant from the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation. The gift will support the construction of the new 75,000-square-foot Hutchinson Y branch, which will be located on land near the intersection of 20th Street and Lorraine that was donated to the Y through a partnership with Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System.
The Mabee Foundation challenge grant is contingent upon the Y raising an additional $7 million for the estimated $30 million capital campaign by October 2025.
“We are incredibly grateful to receive this grant from the Mabee Foundation, which only reinforces how important this project is to our community,” said Mike Folks, Hutchinson YMCA Board Chair. “We look forward to continuing the momentum by fulfilling the challenge grant requirements.”
Since its formation in 1948, the Mabee Foundation has made grants totaling over $1.6 billion for capital expenditures and the purchase of major medical equipment. The Mabee Foundation exclusively funds projects located in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.
“John and Lottie Mabee believed in creating opportunities for individuals to improve their lives and mobilizing entire communities around worthy causes. The Greater Wichita YMCA embodies those ideals,” said Michael Goeke, Mabee Foundation Executive Director. “We are honored to assist the Y in making a profound impact in the lives of every Hutchinson-area resident for years to come through the construction of a new Hutchinson YMCA facility.”
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. This initial phase allows for future development to continue to transform the 9.9 acres of land into a health and wellness destination.
"At the YMCA, we’re dedicated to strengthening families, fostering youth development and promoting healthy living for all, regardless of background," said Ronn McMahon, Greater Wichita YMCA President and CEO. "Through the support of area residents, businesses and organizations like the Mabee Foundation, we can provide even more opportunities for people in the Hutchinson community to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives."
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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 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 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, three indoor 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.