WEST BARNSTABLE – The YMCA Cape Cod is moving forward with plans for an Upper Cape facility after an overwhelming show of support from residents in Falmouth, Bourne and Mashpee.
The organization’s board voted unanimously to begin the next steps of planning and prefunding after a market feasibility study showed that 75 percent of the 600 people interviewed said an Upper Cape branch of the YMCA is a good or excellent idea.
“We also learned about some locations that we tested, nothing specific but just some more general regional areas, and situating a facility in Falmouth would be the best location,” said Stacie Peugh, the YMCA Cape Cod President and CEO.
The community focus groups and interview results also showed that an effectively designed and marketed YMCA on the Upper Cape could meet or exceed the number of full memberships which would be needed in the first year to support financial viability long-term.
The results also gathered information on what types of programs and services residents would like a new facility to offer.
“We’re hearing about a lot of aquatic programs that families are interested in participating in – children learning to swim and seniors who are looking for different types of classes that help them with warm water therapy,” Peugh said.
Residents also showed interest in programs to help families live a healthier lifestyle, and keep children and teens safe when they are not in school.
The next step will be to raise money to fund another feasibility study on starting a capital campaign.
The organization will also look into developing a detailed program services portfolio and a business plan and operating plan for the potential new facility.
“We’ll be engaging a couple of our national YMCA specialists who are [experts] in this area and can help us to put these types of plans and research elements together,” Peugh said. “We are still in that research mode but are looking at the next level of research.”
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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