Frequently Asked Questions
UPDATED 8/10/2022
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Q: How much do you need to raise?
A: Project leaders are estimating an all-in cost of the new Y including land and administration expenses to be approximately $48M.
Q: How much money have you already raised?
A: As of August 2023, $47.2 M has been raised in one-time gifts and multi-year pledges to the project. We hope to reduce the financial gap with additional grants, federal dollars and foundation support currently in the works. Our goal is to open this new Y debt-free, allowing us to invest directly to programs that serve the community and financial assistance that supports our most vulnerable residents.
Q: Will my gift be recognized in a public way in the new Y?
A: Yes, donors will be recognized at the new Y unless you specify you want to remain anonymous. If you want to remain anonymous, you can note that on the donation card or online if making your donation through our website.
Q: When is the groundbreaking scheduled?
A: The groundbreaking of the new Y took place in July 2022.
Q: When will the new building open?
A: The new Y is projected to open in December 2023.
Q: Does the Y own the land at the old Roosevelt site?
A: Yes. We officially acquired the site in February 2022.
Q: How big will the new Y be in comparison to the current Y?
A: Our current main facility, not including the tennis center, is approximately 50,000 square feet. Our new Y is designed to be 75,000 square feet - and much more efficiently laid out!
Q: Will membership dues increase?
A: Y leaders regularly evaluate fees in order to ensure affordability, while also stewarding the Y’s resources in a way that ensures sustained ability to address organizational and community strategic priorities. Membership or program fees would increase with the increases to staffing costs, utilities, etc. As always, our Y financial assistance program is here to help ensure that everyone has access despite financial barriers.
Q: Will the new Y offer childcare?
A: Yes, we will continue to provide two dedicated preschool spaces as well as host a portion of our summer camps and afterschool care in the new Y. We will also offer expanded drop-in child care while members and guests are using the facility. We will continue to offer and expand our programming for kids throughout Lane County utilizing schools and other sites where programming is most accessible to families.
Q: Will there be more parking?
A: Yes, we will have 269 parking spaces at the new Y compared to our current 34 YMCA-owned parking spots.
Q: Will we have a steam room?
A: The new Y will not offer steam rooms.
Q: Will the new Y be built with natural gas?
A: Yes, but minimally. Electricity will be the primary energy source. Natural gas will be used to warm the pools and as a backup system for the electricity. The Y is being built so that it can sustain a significant earthquake event and transition to an emergency shelter that requires natural gas as a backup when electricity is lost. From an overall energy standpoint, the new Y is an extremely efficient building. The new Y will have its emissions fully offset by third-party verified and certified carbon offset credits.
Q: Why are you building a new Y in South Eugene and not another part of town?
A: The Y has existed since 1887 based on a sustainable business model with a foundation established in its current area. In order to expand its facility offerings to other parts of Lane County, the Eugene Y must first position its flagship facility for long-term viability in order to support the expansion of other facilities in new market areas. In addition to the current main facility, the Y operates its programs and services in 20+ elementary school sites in Bethel, North Eugene, Pleasant Hill, Creswell and Cottage Grove.
Q: Why should the community support another youth organization capital project in South Eugene when we just built a new facility for KIDSPORTS?
A: The new KIDSPORTS facility is critical to providing much-needed space and programs for youth activities, physical literacy and community sporting events. The new Y will include a new aquatics facility with expanded offerings, flexible spaces for educational opportunities including STEM activities and maker spaces, an indoor track, greatly expanded group exercise spaces including an outdoor workout space and a dedicated spin cycle room. Programs and services at the new Y will focus on nurturing the potential of every child through academic achievement, character development, afterschool care, summer camps and family programming throughout the community. While the Y’s youth sports program offers opportunities for thousands of youth, it is a small aspect of our overall youth programming and endeavors to complement KIDSPORTS offerings. The new Y will also focus on healthy living programs and services for children, adults, and seniors of all abilities, with a primary focus on life-long wellness and preventing and managing chronic disease.
Q: Do you consider yourself a Christian organization?
A: The Eugene Family YMCA is not considered a Christian organization. However, we celebrate our Christian roots by embracing Christianity’s non-secular values of Caring, Honesty, Respect & Responsibility. We serve our community by embracing the diversity of our neighbors and celebrating that which we have in common.
FOR MORE GIVING INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Danielle Uhlhorn, Chief Development Officer
541.686.9622 ext. 247
danielle@eugeneymca.org
The Eugene Family YMCA is 501c3 non-profit. EIN 93-0500679
