Lawrence YMCA Seeks Donors for Outdoor Water Park

IMAG0151
Jim Watts, Community Executive Director of the Benjamin Harrison YMCA

Looking to leave a legacy of health and wellness in the greater Lawrence community? The Benjamin Harrison YMCA is looking for some philanthropic residents to support a new outdoor water park and naming rights are available.

According to Jim Watts, Community Executive Director of the Benjamin Harrison YMCA, they are 61% of the way to their $2.6 million goal needed to break ground on the Outdoor Family Adventure Pool. To help offset the costs and generate pledges, Watts has compiled a price list of naming rights for various facilities at the Lawrence YMCA ranging from $5,000 per brick in the brick walk way to $500,000 for the rights to the entire pool. For $2 million, the entire Benjamin Harrison YMCA could be named after you.

“We would incorporate ’Benjamin Harrison’ into the name, but if someone donates $2 million, the YMCA would in fact be renamed,” said Watts.

With just over 13,000 members, the Benjamin Harrison YMCA’s mission is to build character and provide facilities and programs for healthy living in Lawrence. Geographically located in the heart of Lawrence, the YMCA is a true melting pot for children and families of all ethnic and economic backgrounds. Watts sees this outdoor pool as a key instrument to expand their water safety and skills programs, improve health through exercise, and give families some safe, fun recreation during the hot summer months.

“Our current indoor pools are booked pretty much all the time. With local swim teams practicing, swimming classes, and water aerobic classes, we just don’t have the needed blocks of time left in the schedule for open swim times.”

Plans call for new locker rooms, an outdoor picnic area with sandy play area, lap pool, water slide, splash pad, and plenty of lounge chairs and tables surrounded by trees. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2011.

“Of course we’d like to get some large gifts to help us pay for this expansion, but we’re also looking at a grassroots effort for people that would pledge $5 or so a month,” added Watts. “Every little bit helps.”

For more information, please contact Jim Watts at jwatts@indymca.org or call 317-547-9622 x. 16.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Send me your media kit!

hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "6486003", formId: "5ee2abaf-81d9-48a9-a10d-de06becaa6db" });