At 10 years old, YMCA throws open doors for party

LIMA - The YMCA is opening its doors for a free community celebration of its 10-year anniversary.

The celebration is of the downtown facility, but also the still-strong partnerships with Lima Memorial Health System and Rhodes State College that made it possible, said Jerry Courtney, Lima Family YMCA president and chief executive officer.

"Thousands of lives have been affected because of this unique partnership," Courtney said.

The day, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, includes free food, family activities and hourly prize drawings. Activities will include a climbing wall, rope climbing and inflatable toys, face painting, music, a swimming safety clinic and aerobics classes.

In 1998, support from throughout the community made the 111,000-square-foot, three-story building possible. The building is also home to the Lima Memorial Wellness Center and Rhodes State College Day Care Program.

Lima Memorial President and CEO Michael Swick said the hospital is proud of its partnership.

"Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our communities through comprehensive health services, and I know that this facility and the people who work here are doing just that," Swick said.

The project actually began in 1992, Mayor David Berger said, when the YMCA announced it would build a new facility near the American Mall. City and county officials lobbied the YMCA to stay downtown and a process began to make that happen, Berger said, which resulted in a $14 million downtown jewel. The facility averages 900 people a day.

"It created a magnet of activity day and night, year-round," Berger said. "The anniversary is significant to our community and one we should not take for granted. It has yielded immense benefit to our community."

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Community Celebration

Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday

Lima Family YMCA, 345 S. Elizabeth St.

Free food, family activities and hourly prize drawings