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Davis County YMCA seeks $5 million county pledge for $25M replacement facility
Summary
The Davis County YMCA task force presented a plan for a new 50,000-square-foot facility and outlined a $25 million budget; the group asked the county for a $5 million contribution while describing other funding sources including a $5 million private lead gift, new markets tax-credit value at the site and grant prospects.
Jeff Owens, a member of the Davis County YMCA task force and owner of Taber Owens Construction, told the Daviess County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 28 that an engineering assessment shows the existing YMCA requires immediate repairs and multi‑year renovations to remain usable.
"They recommend about half a million dollars in repairs" in the next year and estimated about $1 million to $1.5 million in renovations over three to five years, Owens said. He and other presenters said the older portions of the building, including systems dating to the late 1990s and earlier, are past typical equipment lifespans.
The task force presented architect renderings for a proposed 50,000-square-foot replacement facility on the current site, noting the location would allow the Y to continue limited operations during construction. Program elements highlighted included expanded youth-development space, a multipurpose field‑house-style gymnasium with multiple courts and a walking track, a new aquatic center, childcare and flexible community meeting space.
AJ Miles, a YMCA board member and owner at Burkhard Insurance, emphasized the facility’s role beyond recreation. "This is not just a swimming gym," Miles said, citing youth after‑school care, bilingual and senior programs, and volunteer time poured into the Y.
The task force presented a preliminary funding plan that included a $5 million private lead gift already pledged; a cited value for new markets tax credits tied to the site; grant prospects (presenters mentioned Lilly and other foundations); a proposed capital campaign of about $4–5 million; and public funding. Owens said the task force is seeking $8 million in public funds overall and specifically asked the county for a $5 million contribution.
Shannon Dalton, plant manager at GPC in Washington, urged the commissioners to support the project and said local employers see community assets like the Y as important for hiring and retention.
Commissioners asked questions about appropriate funding sources, the tax-increment financing (TIF) district that encompasses the site and the legal limits on using TIF proceeds. A commissioner said the county will seek an opinion from the State Board of Accounts to confirm legal uses of TIF before any commitment. The county’s development process described during the meeting places subsequent decisions with the county Redevelopment Commission (RDC) and then the board; commissioners noted they are three of the five RDC members.
No formal county commitment or vote to allocate funds was taken at the meeting. The YMCA task force presented its request for consideration and public feedback; presenters said next steps would include further due diligence, grant and campaign work, RDC review and additional discussions with the commissioners.
