Rockford-area YMCA at capacity, $2M expansion underway

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

When Rockford-based Wolverine World Wide became the lead donor for Belmont's new 46,800-square-foot YMCA, no one would have believed that the facility would be at capacity as soon as it opened. That was in 2005, and now a $2 million, 14,000-square-foot expansion is underway.

Originally built to serve 3,500 members, the Y currently serves 9,605 members. The expansion will focus on family activities, adding 10 family locker rooms, an expanded kid zone, a kids' fitness center, a youth and family gym, a climbing center, a cycling studio, a community room, an elevated jogging/walking track around the upper level of the main gymnasium, and The James Balk Family Wellness Center.

“The James Balk family and Wolverine World Wide Foundation’s gifts will allow the YMCA to continue to serve the families of northern Kent County, moving us closer to our goal of involving one in five youth, teens, and their families in year-round programs,” said YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids’ President/CEO Ron Nelson.

Construction completed thus far includes the demolition of the existing gym's north wall to allow for an expanded footprint. The enlarged gym accommodates the suspended running track, which is longer than the original track that circled the gym floor.

Rockford Companies, the firm handling the construction, donated much of the 18 acres for the original facility. Design Plus is the architect.

The project will be completed in May.

Source: Rick Kamel, RK Public Relations; Jason Wheeler, Rockford Companies

(Courtesy photograph)

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].