The Kearney Family YMCA breaks ground on expansion project

KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) - The Kearney Family YMCA broke ground for a new project Wednesday morning. The $8.8 million expansion has been in the works since 2017. They’re planning on adding approximately 26,000 square feet to their current facility. There hasn’t been an expansion since 1998, therefore this project is more than welcomed within the Kearney community.

One of their major goals is to be more accessible to everyone who wants to focus on a healthier lifestyle. Ray Longoria, the Kearney Y’s Executive Officer really wants to put the emphasis on “everyone”. He said, “regardless of your age, regardless of your background, regardless of your income.”

One of the new spaces is a learning kitchen, this is a space that families can learn to prepare healthy meals together to help families balance that physical and nutritional aspect of healthy living. A big portion of that is a new wellness center which will include more weights and new machines.

Ray also stated that they’re looking forward to a community food program to help address food insecurity in the community. This will help feed kids on the evenings, weekends and long holiday breaks that the school’s summer food programs might not cover.

“I think there’s an opportunity for the Y to step in and really fill a void,” said Ray.

Another one of their main focuses is youth development, allowing kids to grow and thrive. There will be more space for child care for the working parent or the parent that wants to come in and get a workout with a safe space for their children. More room for creative arts, a community meeting room and additional group exercise rooms. All in all, Ray commented that the space will allow them to do more and impact more people.

The Kearney Y is at 90% of their fundraising as of now. If anyone wants to learn more about this their website is https://kearneyymca.org/.

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