Current History
Guided by the YMCA of the USA, a group of Northfield citizens joined together in the spring of 2005 to form the Northfield Area Family YMCA. Initially known as the “Y Northfield Committee,” this enthusiastic group led a community-wide effort to launch the YMCA you see today, with an office on Division Street and programs running in various locations around town.
In a few short years, the YMCA has grown from being a mere idea to complete reality. The YMCA currently has between 50 to 80 staff (depending on the season) who operate various programs and services to over one thousand people annually. Programs have grown from $80,000 in revenue in 2007 to a projected $220,000 in revenue in 2012. Below are the steps that have been taken to develop the YMCA you see today. For a vision of what the YMCA will look like in the future, see our Founders Report.
2005
- Presented Northfield as a potential site for a new YMCA to national YMCA representatives.
- Conducted a small scale feasibility test to measure the will of the community to develop and sustain a YMCA.
- Obtained 501(c)3 and provisional charter status as an independent YMCA (as opposed to a branch of an other established YMCA).
2006
- Organized and successfully completed a Founders Campaign to raise over $400,000 to support the start of a YMCA which included covering the organizational set-up including the hiring of an experienced YMCA Executive Director, establishing a board of directors, and starting programs.
- Opened a storefront office on Division Street.
2007
- Launched several programs, ranging from Preschoolers in the Park to Tennis and Golf camps, flag football, basketball, Youth in Government, etc.
- Organized events including the Healthy Kids Day, the Corporate Challenge and the Fall Classic 5K Run. Recipient of proceeds from the Jingle Bell 5K Run.
- Market Research-Sustainability-The YMCA hired a professional research firm, to conduct an independent, objective study of approximately 300 households in the Northfield area in 2007. The goal was to understand if a YMCA facility would be sustainable by attracting enough members to support its operation costs. Results were highly favorable, indicating:
- 76% would like to see a YMCA in Northfield
- 60% expressed interest in joining a Y, 75% of which were family members.
- 69% were interested in affordable swimming lessons, 62% expressed interest in year-round lap swimming.
- 82% were interested in youth sport activities (for all kids regardless of skill or physically or financial ability).
- 81% would participate in family gym nights
- 89% said YMCAs are a place for families.
- Hired Virginia Kaczmarek as Executive Director in December.
2008
- Moved administrative offices to the top level of the Northfield Armory.
- Implemented a volunteer-led Annual Campaign, which gathered $19,000 of community support to provide aid for scholarships and critical programs
- Opened a Health and Wellness Center, which provides group fitness classes, strength and cardio equipment and a child watch area for YMCA members and non-members alike.
- Launched Summer camp programs including Y Navigators and Wee Camp.
- Significantly expanded its program offerings, adding more programs for families and elementary and secondary age youth.
- Established collaborations with other local non-profits such as Just Foods Coop, the Northfield Hospital, Northfield Public Schools and Northfield Retirement Community to provide healthy initiatives in the Northfield Community.
- Organized events including the Daddy Daughter Dance, Healthy Kids Day and Fall Classic 5K Run.
2009
- Delayed final feasibility study due to economic downturn, which created the need to launch a Bridge Campaign, to support operational costs for 2009 and 2010. Y Volunteers raised over $200,000.
- In addition to dollars raised for the Bridge Campaign, Y volunteers raised $22,000 for the Annual Campaign.
- Continued to build community partnerships.
- Carleton Colleges’ Prairie and Wood programs became a YMCA day camp.
2010
- Moved administrative offices temporarily to Hwy 3.
- Market Research-Financial Support- The YMCA hired a national market-research firm to conduct an independent, objective survey of 67 key leaders in our community in early 2010. The goal was to understand the level of financial support we can expect to recieve toward a proposed $8 million dollar YMCA facility. Results were encouraging and other key information was gathered such as the names of potential lead donors and volunteers to include to ensure a successful Capital Campaign.
- Site Selection Committee proposed the top three locations to be considered for a YMCA facility. These locations were included in the survey and the high school property was identified as the preferred location. An official proposal to build on this site was shared with the Northfield School Board in June. After much analysis and gathering of community input, the School Board voted down this proposal in October.
- YMCA board voted to move forward with plans for the Capital Campaign. Hired Triangle 2 (T2) as it’s consultant and began planning throughout the summer.
- YMCA of the USA unveils a new logo and focus “for youth development, for healthy living, for social responsibility.” The Northfield YMCA will phase into their marketing over the next two years.
- Volunteers organized and ran the first, “Y Kids Tri” in August. Hundreds of kids participated.
- Hosted first, “Scoop” event, a presentation to community leaders about the progress and future plans for the YMCA. Approximately 75 people attened.
- Began inner family phase of the Capital Campaign, collecting over $2.6 million dollars of pledges by year-end.
- In additon to dollars raised for the Capital Campaign, Y volunteers raised $23,000 for the Annual Campaign.
- Moved administrative offices agian- just upstairs from the office we occupied in 2011 on Hwy 3.
2011
- Site Selection Committee proposed round two of top three locations to be considered for a YMCA facility. Top choice was the Jasnoch property located behind Target and adjacent to Char Carlson Park. The Y signed a purchase agreement with Jasnochs in May and spent the majority of the summer working with engineers and the city to obtain our conditional use permit (CUP). The CUP was approved in September, allowing us to officially close on the property on Sept. 22.
- A group of high school students in the DECA Club created and installed the “Future Home of the Northfield Area Family YMCA” sign on the new property. A land marking ceremony was held on November 20th and community leaders Brett Reese, Mary Rossing (Mayor), Joel, Leer, and Will Healy addressed teh crowd, sharing their support for the new Y.
- Organized the lead gift phase of the Captial Campaign, appointed a core group to obtain the top 15-20 gifts of six figures and above. Spent most of the year sharing the story of the Y with lead gift prospects, and held off on soliciatations until after the location for the facility was estabilished in September. A small amount of new pledges were recieved by year end, raising our overall pledge total to just under $2.7 million.
- In addition to dollars raised for the Captial Campaign, Y volunteers raised $24,000 for the Annual Campaign.
- Volunteers organized and ran the second, “Y Kids Tri” in July. Hundreds of kids participated.
The NAFY board and community volunteers are continuing to promote its mission by setting in place the foundational work necessary for the construction of a full facility. We are working with the guidance and support of the YMCA of the USA, which has built more than 2,700 YMCAs nationally. The national organization’s track record of success and its established planning process, plus our amazing group of local volunteer leaders, has set us off on a well-traveled path.
The strength of an independent YMCA is directly related to the support it receives from its community. So far, the Northfield Area Family YMCA has received tremendous support but it is important to note that the future of the organization depends totally on the wishes of the community. The more individuals that become members now, participate in programs now, donate to our campaigns now and become involved now, the brighter the future will be for the Northfield Area Family YMCA!
In Addion to planning for the new facility, the Y board and staff will work to provide top quality programming to meed the needs of the Northfield community.
Below is a list of those who have volunteered their time and talents to help establish the Northfield Area Family YMCA.
2012 Board of Directors
Suzette Taylor, Board Chair
Christopher Sawyer, Vice Chair
Linda Thornton, Treasurer
Emily Monaghan
Bryan Hoff
Missy Donkers
Gary Wicks
Pat Murtha
Kevin Fink
Nate Jacobi
Paul Beaumaster
Past Board Members
Nancy Antoine, Jennifer Sawyer, Zach Pruitt, Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Lee Runzheimer, Mike Puppe, Candy Taylor, Dave McBeain, Jorge Zuccolotto, Mark Thornton, Chris Sorenson, Mari Aylin, Amy Ghores-Luhman.
“Y Northfield” Committee Members (Initial team who worked to incorporate the Northfield Area Family YMCA)
Amy Acheson, Jean Callister-Benson, Dave and Missy Donkers, Amy Etzell, Gretchen and Rich Falck, Natalie Fink, Jenn Hanlon, Karna Hasse, Annie Hauskins, Bryan Hoff, Tim & Tanya Jackson, Allison & Jonathan Jaranson, Randolph Jennings, Dave McBeain, Art & Emily Monaghan, Pat Murtha, Candy Nordine, Mike Puppe, Jane Runzheimer, Lee & Kitty Runzheimer, Jennifer Sawyer, Chris & Kristin Shimek, Linda Thornton, Anne Wolf
Past and Present Advisors
Paul Beaumaster, Jim Egbert, Craig Ellingboe, Doug Fitzgerald, Katy Hargis, Will Healy, Charlie Kyte, Nalani McCutcheon, Mark Mohlke, John Noack, Kyle Nordine, Clay Ogelsbee, Jim Pokorney, Brett Reese, Steven Sanderson, Jim Sawyer, Dave Shumway, Don Kuehnast, John Gappa, Steve Schmidt, Nancy Lindahl, Scott Jones, Gretchen Ehresman, Mick Johnson, Mary Rossing
Committee Volunteers
Tim and Carol Cowles, Jim and Linda Sawyer, Gary and Mary Carlson, Fran Windschitl, Tracy Nelson, Cheryl Buck, Kris Estenson, Kelly Irvine, David Koenig, Zach Pruitt, Jennifer Sawyer, Bob Pfefferle, Joe Gasior, Ellen Iverson, Scott Sannes, Nathan Knutson, Lee Runzheimer, Rich Guggisberg, Randy Jennings, Candy Taylor, Jason Dandl, Pam Galle, Patty Ciernia, Julie Nikolai-Sullivan, Amy Acheson, Curt and Katie Coudron, Kristi Holden, Shelly Strobel, Jerry Olszewski.
PLUS HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS!!
Northfield Area Family YMCA Funds Raised to Date (Approximate):
| 2006 | Founders Campaign | $430,000 |
| 2008 | Bridge Campaign | $200,000 |
| 2008 | Annual Campaign | $19,000 |
| 2009 | Annual Campaign | $20,000 |
| 2010 | Annual Campaign | $23,000 |
| 2011 | Annual Campaign | $24,000 |
| 2011+ | Capital Campaign | |
| TOTAL | $3,416,000 |
