Entire community can help Y succeed

For a community our size - heck, for a community of any size - the YMCA today announced an ambitious goal of raising $6 million to completely renovate and also construct an amazing facility for Sikeston residents. The YMCA facility on Tanner will be turned into a state-of-the-art facility that will rival any similar facility in the region.

Thus far, the volunteers for the YMCA have "quietly" raised $3.6 million toward the plan and the big news is that the Sikeston YMCA has been selected for a $900,000 matching grant from the Mabee Foundation. If Y volunteers can raise an additional $1.5 million in private funding, the Mabee Foundation will throw in the final $900,000 to make the dream a reality.

It's really hard to express in words how important this grant could become and how successful the YMCA program has been in our community.

Once completed, the new YMCA will feature an indoor aquatic center, fitness center, gymnasium, indoor walking track, classroom and meeting space. The existing facility will be renovated and include a youth and teen center along with an aerobics studio. Believe me, there is nothing that can match the scope and scale of this enormous project.

There are far too many people to recognize for the success of the YMCA to this point. What started as a dream turned into reality. And now a new dream has emerged that will put Sikeston on the map. I can't recall a project as ambitious or as potentially beneficial to our community in recent memory.

I was skeptical at first concerning whether the YMCA volunteers could be successful in meeting such a large goal. But my skepticism has clearly been removed since just 70 large donors have already raised $3.6 million. Now the remainder of the community will get a chance to help with this project. And given the past success, I have no doubt the Y will be successful in reaching their goal and receiving this generous matching grant.

This project should clearly show the community what can be accomplished when good people support a good project. The YMCA will continue to be the focal point for our youth and will offer something that has long been needed in our community. It's exciting to see what will someday be the pride of this community and it's equally as exciting that the entire community can play a role in the success of this project.