The Southern Prairie YMCA board voted March 4 to drop its affiliation with the YMCA and become and independent health center.
The board has tentatively chosen Southern Prairie Family Health and Wellness Center as the new name but is open to comment on the name from the public.
Executive director Dana Dodge said the programs at the facility will not change and although the name will no longer include the Young Men’s Christian Association, the emphasis on faith will remain.
“We will do ‘See You at the Pole;’ we’ll still have national day of prayer,” Dodge said.
At a public forum in February, the board explained the challenges facing SPYMCA and outlined the benefits of breaking from the YMCA
“They are putting things in place that are telling us we’re not going to be a Y in three to five years no matter what we decide here tonight,” said Tom Lesan, boardmember. “They’re going to force us out and we’re going to be doing this either now when it’s our decision or later.”
The board members cited the $12,500 yearly fee and extensive training requirements as drawbacks to remaining with the YMCA but said the only real benefit was the name recognition.
The board will hold a public meeting 5 p.m. March 18 to give details and answer questions related to the change.