By Kevin Nevers, Town of Chesterton

The Duneland Family YMCA is excited to announce that it’s the recipient of a $12-million matching commitment for the Healthy Living Campus, in a statement released this morning, Tuesday, Sept. 29:

The YMCA did not identify the party who made the commitment but did say in its funding appeal that the dollar-to-dollar funding commitment—up to at least $12 million—depends entirely at this point on the community’s buy-in and generosity.

The statement in full:

“Every generation is presented with a few opportunities to do something that will strengthen its community for decades to come. We believe the Duneland community has one of those opportunities right now. The Duneland Family YMCA has been entrusted with an extraordinary opportunity: A $12 million matching commitment toward the new Duneland Family YMCA Healthy Living Campus. Thanks to the incredible generosity of individuals, families, businesses, foundations, and community partners, we have made tremendous progress toward making this vision a reality.

“But we are not finished. And now, more than ever, we need the support of the entire Duneland community.

“The Healthy Living Campus is not simply about square footage, fitness equipment, swimming pools, or program spaces. It is about people. It is about children learning to swim and gaining confidence. It is about teenagers having a safe place to belong. It is about families building healthy habits together. It is about older adults remaining active, independent, and connected.

“It is about creating a place where neighbors meet, relationships grow, and people from across the Duneland community feel that they belong. It is also an investment in Downtown Chesterton and the economic vitality of our community to bring thousands of people into the area throughout the year and supporting local businesses.

“Most important, the Duneland Family YMCA Healthy Living Campus will be a place for everyone. Financial circumstances should never determine whether someone has access to health, wellness, opportunity, belonging, or a positive experience for their child. That commitment is at the heart of the YMCA.

“Because when more children have opportunities, when families are healthier, when older adults remain connected, when our Downtown is stronger, and when everyone has a place to belong, all of Duneland is stronger.

“We have the vision. We have momentum. We have generous donors who have already demonstrated their belief in this project. And now we have an extraordinary opportunity to multiply the impact of every additional dollar raised.

“Not everyone can make the same size gift, and we don’t expect them to. Some may make transformational commitments; others may make smaller gifts. Every gift matters. Every donor becomes part of the story.

“Pledges can be paid over five years, and naming and recognition opportunities are available for those who want to create a lasting legacy. Years from now, people will walk through the doors of the Healthy Living Campus without knowing the names of everyone who helped make it possible.

“But we will know that when Duneland was presented with an extraordinary opportunity, our community came together. We will know that individuals, families, businesses, foundations, and organizations chose to invest not simply in a building, but in one another. We will know that we finished what we started.

“This is about more than a YMCA. This is about community. This is our opportunity. This is our moment. And now is the time to finish the Healthy Living Campus.”

To learn more about supporting the YMCA Healthy Living Campus Capital Campaign, making a five-year pledge, or available naming opportunities go to dunelandymca.org/capitalcampaign or contact Duneland Family YMCA CEO Dave Kasarda at [email protected]

To watch a video on the opportunities available at the Healthy Living Campus:

KASARDA ADDRESSES THE CHESTERTON TOWN COUNCIL

Kasarda informally announced the $12-million matching commitment at the Chesterton Town Council’s meeting Monday night, Sept. 28.

“I come to you tonight to share great news,” Kasarda told the Town Council, “that after about three years, (YMCA Board Chair Jeff Berglund) and I, we secured a $12-million match, dollar to dollar. The people behind the match said they’d go to $15 million if we could raise it. We have raised $8.4 million to date. We have, we believe, a good path to another $8 million.”

Kasarda did, however, emphasize the urgency of the funding appeal. “It’s time for the community to step up’ he said. “I can’t want this more than the community does. This is a big lift. I realize the town has no money. Municipalities don’t, but I will also share one fact: Every other municipality in the Region has done something to leverage their ability to make these happen. Gary, Hammond, Laporte, right now Michigan City will be next. Hobart’s following. This is one opportunity to have these matching dollars and what we do know is that it’s not here forever. If we can’t use it, the donors will take it and they’ll put it in another community.”

Kasarda concluded his comments by recalling what he said when he was asked the following question last week: “What happens if this doesn’t happen?” His reply was dire. “The Duneland YMCA won’t exist in another 10 years without this, because the building we’re in, we’ve outgrown,” he said. “It’s too old. There’s nothing relevant in it anymore. I don’t even want to think about that. I’m in a positive frame of mind and this is going to have to stay positive in order for it to be effective. So our board leadership at some point will reach out to say, ‘Can we have a conversation? What opportunities can we work together?’”

JIM TON SUPPORTS HEALTHY LIVING CAMPUS

Member Jim Ton, R-1st, welcomed Kasarda’s news about the $12-million matching commitment. “I think it’s a unique opportunity for this community,” he said. “Overall, that area, that piece of Chesterton, has always served the students and the parents and the community. This is just a continuation. It’s a different phase but it’s still serving the community, and I think it’s a wonderful opportunity. It’s a super use of the space because we want the Y in town. We don’t need a donut hole in the middle of town with the Y out on the outside somewhere. It needs to be right in the middle, and that’s where your leadership and forethought in this has shown through.”

“Because,” Ton added. “it’s where it needs to be. It’s the campus in town. It always has been and while it’s got a different name, it’s still there. And I think this is a unique opportunity to really cut through a lot of the red tape, cut through a lot of the extraneous conversations that people make about what we should be doing in town. To do this would be monumental. So I can’t say enough about my support and encouragement for this. It will enhance the Downtown.”