By Lindsay Eckert
WWKI

Kokomo YMCA is one step closer to opening its doors for a potential December 2015 date. City of Kokomo leaders, Duke Energy representatives and Dave Dubois, executive director of Kokomo YMCA, gathered in Kokomo YMCA’s gymnasium Wednesday morning for an announcement, regarding the new building of Kokomo YMCA.

Dubois said a corner of the gymnasium accurately illustrated why building a new home for Kokomo YMCA is a necessity for Kokomo’s fitness future.

“We have a lot of leaks right now so we had to put out a lot of trash cans to catch all the water,” Dubois said. “At first, I thought maybe we should move the announcement to somewhere more aesthetically pleasing, but I think this is a good image as to why we need a new YMCA.”

As for the new Kokomo YMCA, the fundraising campaign is well on its way. Ron Metz, a chairman for the project that will build a 73,000-square foot facility downtown Kokomo, said $9.5 million has already been donated to the project.

However, Wednesday’s announcement helps propel the Kokomo YMCA to completion. Doug Esamann, Duke Energy Indiana president, presented Kokomo YMCA with a $100,000 check to the project and words of gratitude for being able to be part of the project.

“We have a legacy in Indiana like the YMCA,” Essaman said. “We’re very proud to have a part of Kokomo YMCA’s legacy in this community.”