Editorial: YMCA's goal is a great plan to support

The Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA has announced a $3 million capital campaign to expand its facility and programs.

This is a worthy effort deserving of the support of all the communities of Kandiyohi County and especially Willmar.

This YMCA first opened on Nov. 11, 2002, following a successful $7.5 million campaign to build the new facility after six years of organization and planning.

The current building was designed for 3,000 members. Currently, the YMCA has a membership of more than 5,800, nearly twice the facility's capacity.

The campaign will help expand the YMCA's programming. It will also: help construct the following:

- Expand the Wellness Center;

- Build a new multi-purpose gymnasium with a track;

- Build a large wellness studio;

- Build a specialized room for special needs classes and ready-to-be-fit exercisers;

- Build two racquetball courts.

The YMCA organization was first formed in 1996 by a group of local citizens. The group's leadership has worked to develop and formulate a plan to help meet the organization's program and facility needs through its second decade.

Since the late 1990s, the YMCA has been a strong leader in our communities, in local program development and in cooperation and coordination with other programs.

This capital campaign is both a wise and needed investment in this YMCA and our communities. We encourage individuals, businesses and organization to join the YMCA in this commitment to our communities.