YMCA renovations are ‘Right on schedule’

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - There are many projects underway in the Tri-Cities and one of them is renovating the Hastings YMCA. The project has been underway for over a year but they have past the halfway point. Hastings YMCA CEO, Troy Stickels, said renovations are going well and they’re right on schedule. The project has a $21 million price tag, but they’re still a little short. They still need approximately $400,000 to reach their goal.

All of the money came from donations. Stickles said when you’re renovating a 40 year old building, you never know what will happen. Even though they haven’t reached their goal yet, he calls raising money for this project a success. Especially, when inflation ballooned the cost from $14 to $21 million. But until the project is complete Hastings YMCA will be utilizing both of its location.

“The only thing that’s open is the swimming pool,” said Stickels. “So the Aquatic Center which would be the steam room, sauna and the hot tub has been open since middle of November. So that’ll be the only thing that stays open until the rest of the building is done.”

Stickels said as of now, the project will be complete by June. Adding, they’re fortunate to able to utilize their 18th street location until construction is complete. Having a second location allows them to take their time and ensure all details are done correctly.

“We’re fortunate you know that we can stay in this building until we need to move out,” said Stickels. “So we don’t have to get in a big hurry which means we can make sure everything is done right, all the staff are trained, you know members are acclimated to the new space.”

Stickles said the renovated space will look different and people will have to learn where everything is located. Adding, everything is being completed in phases.

“None of the rooms are completely done,” said Stickels. “You know some of them are painted, some need flooring, some the ceiling stuff is still going on. You know we haven’t finished some of our I.T. stuff so there’s not really a space that’s done. It’s just phases of it are getting you know closer and closer.”

Stickels said he hopes to see some rooms complete within a few months. Due to weather, there’s still some concrete work left to complete. Stickels feels the most exciting part will be simply having an updated facility.

“Just the newness of it, like having all new fitness equipment. Like we’ve been using the same fitness equipment for, I’ve been here 10 years and a lot of this stuff is you know really really old, so just people are going to see all new equipment.”

Stickels said they’re going to see cleaner and brighter spaces. It will also feature a place for robotics and new preschool.

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