New $20M YMCA to create 200 new positions, many in healthcare fields

A planned 96,000-square-foot YMCA at Metro Health Village in Wyoming could generate upwards of 200 positions, many in health-related fields. Plans were unveiled this week at a press conference.

"The 200 positions will equal about 75 full-time equivalent jobs, all new to the economy," says Ron Nelson, CEO, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. "The jobs could include executive director of the branch, nutritionists, health and fitness professionals and life guards."

The $20 million facility, named Spartan Stores YMCA, will include a 6,000-square-foot Metro Health Hospital clinic – the largest embedded clinic in a Grand Rapids-area YMCA. A variety of specialists will help patients with physical rehabilitation using the Y's facilities. Proximity to the hospital will be a convenience to patients and caregivers, alike, Nelson says.

Those caregiver positions could be some of the jobs included in the 200-position estimate.

Membership could run up to 10,000 members, Nelson says.

Child care at the Y will provide services for Metro Health employees and will establish hours to accommodate healthcare workers' odd, and often long, work shifts.

Philanthropic donations of $10 million and $10 million in tax exempt bonds will fund the Y. Groundbreaking will take place in early 2010 with completion in early 2011. The project will go out for bid in December. The project is expected to earn LEED certification.

Source: Ron Nelson, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids; Rick Kamel, RK Public Relations

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