YMCA of the Prairie Partners With Gothenburg for New Y

Gothenburg becomes 18th Nebraska community to benefit from a YMCA

HOLDREGE – The YMCA of the Prairie has announced a new partnership with Gothenburg Health to open a new YMCA in Gothenburg.

The two entities publicly announced the new partnership in November at a community celebration in Gothenburg.

The collaboration will help bring programs for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility to an 18th community in Nebraska.

The YMCA in Gothenburg will be connected to Gothenburg Health and is part of the hospital’s renovation project.

Construction on the project is expected to be completed in December 2017 and will include a high-school regulation-size gymnasium with two cross-courts; a four-lane swimming pool with room for physical therapy and a kids area; an indoor walking track; workout space with weights and cardio machines; a group exercise room; men’s, women’s and family locker rooms; educational child care; and a social lobby.

A branch director for the Gothenburg location has already been hired, and YMCA programming will begin there in the spring of 2017.

YMCA of the Prairie CEO Ginger Cowne said the new partnership is a great example of how small rural communities can work together to make great things happen.

“By sharing staff and other resources, we make it easier to sustain YMCAs in rural areas,” Cowne said. “The partnership allows the Y to bring programs into rural areas that will impact the future health of its residents and create brighter futures for its children. We are glad to be able to bring the Y’s great programs and resources to another Nebraska community.”

The YMCA of the Prairie, headquartered in Holdrege, began in 2002. The Holdrege location was renamed to the Don Sjogren Community YMCA in 2015. A Lexington location was added in 2010 with the Orthman Community YMCA, and the single branch YMCA became an association.

The Don Sjogren branch expanded with the purchase of the former R7 school south of Holdrege to add an off-site early learning center in the spring of 2016. Association offices also were relocated from the Don Sjogren branch to the R7 location. And now, the YMCA will add a location in Gothenburg.

Each branch location is managed by a local branch director with Cowne serving as CEO of the entire association.

The YMCA is a non-profit organization that works to strengthen the community with programs focusing on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

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