Ground has been broken for the long awaited Ottawa YMCA project. YMCA board members, local officials, and state officials spoke behind the Knights of Columbus near where the old Central School used to be Tuesday morning. Board Chair Konni Rodeghier says the organization was ready in 2020 to start the project before the pandemic hit. But because of the board’s work to continue to get money for the project, it’s now able to get underway this year.
Executive Director Joe Capece thanked many of the sponsors of the project.
Ottawa Mayor Dan Aussem said that the real reward will be the ribbon cutting when the project is done in about a year and a half. It’s expected to cost about $24 million and will have new facilities like a community center, therapy pool, and clinical area for OSF Healthcare.
Ottawa YMCA Executive Director Joe Capece (far right) speaks to a large crowd gathered for the new YMCA’s groundbreaking.
Image of the Ottawa YMCA project, provided July 27, 2021