HISTORY OF THE HENDERSON COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

Brief narrative of the agency’s history, description of agency’s structure and administration, its programs, services, and demographic nature of persons served.

The Henderson County Family YMCA has been in existence since 1894 when it was located in a downtown office area. In 1898, the Y moved to another downtown office area, before building its first facility in 1904, at the site of the present Big Rivers Electric parking lot located down by the river. The dated granite corner stone now sits out front of this facility.

The YMCA remained in this 3 story building until 1971, when it was torn down and a new 32,885 sq ft facility was built on 5 acres of land donated by Carlton Klutey, at 460 Klutey Park Plaza Drive, which opened in June 1973. There was a Capital Campaign from 1971 -1973 that raised nearly $800,000 that helped pay for the new facility. The campaign Involved such community leaders as Hecht Lackey, Herbert Hoffman, Lambert Farmer, Tom Glover, William Deep, James Crafton, Dr. John Logan, llI, Ray Preston, Ken Miller, John Stanley Hoffman, Houston Keach, William Latta, Leo King, Owen Gregory, Ron Jenkins, William Hodge, Jr., Malcolm Neel, Bob Snyder and Reuben Boswell to name a few.

From 1973 thru 1997, there had been little done to the facility in the way of any major improvements, except for an air inflated tennis bubble that was erected over two outdoor courts for the winter months in the mid 80's. In late 1997, the beginning of a two year $1.25 million dollar Capital Campaign kicked off. Mr. Chris Hopgood served as Board President and Campaign Chairman, and Sheldon Booze served as CEO/Executive Director of the Y , and was also the Campaign Director. No professional fund-raising consultants were hired, saving nearly $80,000 in fees! Key community leaders involved in this campaign included Walt Dear, Tore Stuen, Joan Hoffman, Dr. John Logan, lII, Scott Davis, Ray Preston, Jerry Wischer, Phyllis Crafton, David Thomason, Jo Taylor, Greg Mullican, John Hodge and Steve Austin to name a few.

By late 2000, the YMCA had raised over $1.35 million in gifts and pledges! Another $400,000 was raised in 2002! With several very generous lead gifts from the Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation, Walt & Martha Dear and from Leo & Gail King, our YMCA was able to begin facility improvements in the summer of 1998, and in the winter of 1999, the YMCA's first addition was added with the new Health & Well ness addition. In the spring of 2000, the new Multi-Recreation Center (tennis courts&walking track) was completed. In February of 2003, a new Youth/Sports Gymnasium and a second Teen/Adult Fitness Center (free weight area) was completed. There were numerous other improvements made to both the inside and outside the YMCA between 1998 and 2004.

In June 2004, the YMCA's final major construction project (as planned in the 1997 5-year plan) was completed, that being our new $850,000 Warm Water Therapy Pool, complete with lockers, private showers, changing bathroom areas! In October 2004, the YMCA completed a new parking lot in the back, with 66 new parking spaces that will help handle the need for additional parking during busier winter months, as well as allow parents to park closer to the fields for youth sports.

A new 5,100 square foot Social & Recreation Center and Front Entrance addition ($750,000), opened January 3, 2008, with computers, seating, vending, DDR, racing bikes, pool tables and various other games.

The YMCA is a non-profit 501-C-3 organization that is overseen by a volunteer lay Board of Directors, as well as several standing committees made up of board and Y members. The YMCA is staffed by 3 full-time and 80 part-time staff. The YMCA offers a variety of programs and services year round for all ages and Interests, many in collaboration with other local non-profits, school systems and community groups, with usage of YMCA facilities at little or no cost!

The Henderson County Family YMCA Is proud of the fact that our YMCA has one of the highest percentage of scholarship underwriting, when compared to total membership and operating revenue received. Thanks to our local United Way, which provides $38,000 a year, and to our Board which allows our Y to underwrite the remaining need each year, we were able to scholarship $336,478 in 2009, to 2,826 low income youth and families in Henderson County!

Our YMCA has enjoyed significant increases over the years in the number of members and program participants, with a total of 9,519 members and over 2000 program participants. About 80% of our members have a family type membership, with the remaining 20% made up of individual youth, adults and senior citizens. Nearly 70% of our adult and family members are part of a corporate membership, which qualifies them for a lower membership fee. Our regular membership rates continue to be the overall lowest among Kentucky and Indiana YMCA's that have full facilities!