The Mid-Del Board of Education on Dec. 9 approved a memorandum of understanding to partner with the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, Midwest City Memorial Hospital Authority and SSM Health Saint Anthony Midwest on a proposed community wellness center.

Why this matters: The project — described by city and district officials as a public–private partnership — would include a new competition pool owned by the district and operated by the YMCA, a Saint Anthony physical-therapy suite, a significant day-care component, and associated park improvements near the hospital district.

District and city officials provided details and a timeline during the discussion. Tim Lyon, Midwest City city manager, told the board his team expected to begin engineering after Jan. 1, to put the project to bid within roughly six months and to likely begin construction in 2026. Lyon said the YMCA has committed $15 million toward the project and that the group expects to pursue grant opportunities and financing to cover remaining costs.

Doctor Cobb, the district superintendent, told the board the partners had identified funding and that the partnership structure is now in place to move into design. “We
re all ready to go,” Cobb said. Board members and city officials discussed location, reporting that the site will be at the northwest/northeast corner of Parklawn and National (inside the hospital district) and that the project is expected to complement a larger hospital-district investment in the area.

The board’s motion approved the MOU that lays out shared intentions: the district will own the pool facility while the YMCA will operate the center under a long-term agreement; Saint Anthony will operate an on-site physical-therapy component; the YMCA has committed $15 million and partners will pursue additional grants and fundraising. City and district speakers emphasized that a formal contract with detailed terms, liability and insurance provisions will return to the board for approval.

Board members asked several follow-up questions about liability, ownership and funding. District counsel and city legal staff were not heard to state details during the meeting; board members were repeatedly assured the intricate contract terms, insurance coverage and operating details will be spelled out in future agreements and return to the board for formal approval.

Formal action: The motion to approve the memorandum of understanding passed unanimously. Roll-call votes were recorded as aye by Doctor Kirk, Miss Standridge, Mister Porter, Miss Schultz and the board chair (President Daniel).

Budget and schedule estimates: Tim Lyon and other presenters estimated the full project cost at roughly $40 million to $50 million. The YMCA has committed $15 million; partners discussed applying for a $10 million community‑grant request and other federal grant programs, but officials underscored that fundraising and financing remain necessary. District and city leaders said they have earmarked or committed $15 million of local support to the project as presented to the board.

What happens next: The parties will move into the design phase and return with detailed contracts that specify ownership, operations, insurance, day-care access rules, and construction timing. The board will review those detailed contracts before any construction begins.

Ending note: Board members and speakers framed the vote as a major community investment in recreation and student-athlete facilities and described the MOU as a necessary step to move from bond commitments to construction planning.