After more than 9 years of planning and community partnership, the Bloomington-Normal YMCA’S new facility in partnership with Easterseals Central Illinois located at 202 St. Joseph Drive is finally open! To celebrate this momentous occasion, we are holding a Ribbon Tying Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30th, 2022.
“We’ve opted to forgo the usual ribbon cutting ceremony to instead view the opening of this facility as a joining of two organizations in the community under one roof,” said B.J. Wilken, Executive Director/CEO of the Bloomington-Normal YMCA. “We hope to communicate with this ribbon tying ceremony that our two organizations are working toward common goals to benefit everyone in the greater Bloomington-Normal area.”
“Our Easterseals Central Illinois’ excitement for the new facility echoes that of our YMCA neighbors. We look forward to our organizations ‘growing together’ in our new shared home expanding our services within Bloomington-Normal and delivering upon our mission of all children, regardless of ability, reaching their full potential,” said Amber Gruenloh, Community Vice President of Easterseals Central Illinois.
Despite the change of location, the mission of the YMCA remains the same: to put Christian principles into practice through programs, services and relationships that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
“We are ecstatic to finally have opened this facility. The opportunities ahead of us to further the YMCA’s vision and spread our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility has produced excitement among our staff. We hope to continue cultivating this new facility into something special,” said Wilken. “We will continue our service to the community by never turning away someone due to their background or financial situation.”
“Our organizations believe in our respective clients and members deserving the best and this new facility delivers just that – The Best!” added Gruenloh.
Each day of the grand opening celebration will be themed with FREE activities for the community to showcase various programs to participate at the YMCA. In addition, we want to highlight community partnerships that support the Y in our cause to strengthen communities.
- Monday, August 29th is Fitness Day
- Tuesday, August 30th is Community Day
- Wednesday, August 31st is Family Night
- Thursday, September 1st is Mindfulness Day
Open seven days a week, the near 75,000 square foot facility will offer an aquatic center with a zero depth entry splash pad, warm water therapy pool and competitive pool, a universal locker room to accommodate all people regardless of ability, an expanded gym, an outdoor fitness terrace, community meeting space, outdoor playgrounds, enhanced child watch amenities, playgrounds, premium cardio and wellness equipment, and three group fitness studios. It will bring significant expansion of programs available for youth and adults interested in sports, E-sports and enrichment programs for youth and teens, hosted by the Y.
“I am thrilled for the entire Bloomington-Normal Community and am excited to see how this new asset will forge new relationships and improve overall well-being,” says Wilken.
Charter Memberships at the YMCA will remain available for purchase to both individuals and households through August 31st. Charter members receive a variety of additional benefits, including:
- Charter members will not pay monthly membership dues until October 1, 2022.
- A variety of limited edition YMCA-branded merchandise, exclusive to charter members.
- Your name/family name on the Charter Member Wall at our new YMCA, a permanent and historical fixture in the new facility.
Charter memberships can now be purchased on site Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Financial support is available to those who qualify through the Bloomington-Normal YMCA’s Financial Support program. Visit us at www.bnymca.org to learn more information.
For more details about the YMCA’s Grand Opening Celebration, visit us online at www.bnymca.org or follow us on social media at Bloomington-Normal YMCA!
Work for the Bloomington-Normal YMCA
The new Bloomington-Normal YMCA brings many new opportunities for employment and volunteerism. Positions available include lifeguards, aquatic fitness instructors, land fitness instructors, personal trainers, child watch team members, membership staff and more. Learn more about jobs available and volunteer opportunities at www.bnymca.org/workatthey
Special Thanks
The grand opening of the Bloomington-Normal YMCA would not be possible without the support of our capital campaign leadership cabinet, OSF Healthcare, Easterseals Central Illinois and our corporate partners. The Y would also like to thank the many individuals in our community who helped make this possible through gifts of time, talent and treasure.
About the Partnership
The new Bloomington-Normal YMCA is developed in partnership with Easterseals of Central Illinois. Together we are working to help all people become stronger in spirit, mind and body.
For more information from our staff, please contact Tessa Mizell at tmizell@bnymca.org or call us at 309-827-6233.
Established in 1855, the Bloomington-Normal YMCA is the oldest continually existing human service organization in McLean County. Serving more than 8,000 people annually, the YMCA is dedicated to instilling Christian principles through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. As a charitable, nonprofit organization, the Y seeks to establish programming in the community for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For more information, please visit www.bnymca.org.