JACKSON, Mich. — The Jackson YMCA is one step closer to breaking ground on a new state-of-the-art facility but the organization is still a few million dollars short of the $25 million they need.
The YMCA has been a fixture of downtown Jackson for almost 125 years. For several years now, they have been raising money for a new 75,000-square-foot building that will have a more open layout and be more handicapped accessible.
Earlier this week, officials announced they will be working on the project with Granger Construction and Bergmann, an architecture and engineering firm.
"Our timeline is, let's get this done because everyone is ready. The membership is ready. The community is ready," said Jackson YMCA CEO Shawna Tello.
And, they haven't just been running in place.
"Our next big push is fundraising," said Tello. "We have to reach the goal. We know we have to and we will reach the goal but we would like to do it sooner rather than later....this current facility is rapidly declining and we know that it is time.”
Tello says they are still $5 million away from their goals but that they can reach it by the middle of the year. It will take 14 months to complete the project after raising the money.
