RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU-WXPR) The YMCA of the Northwoods is expanding, after Rhinelander resident Gale Willcox donated $1-million to the cause.
Construction on the facility will start soon.
Ryan Zietlow is the YMCA’s CEO. He says the Y had been raising money for a new gymnasium for years. “That one million dollars, what it allowed us to do is to look beyond just a new gymnasium, and allowed us to look at repurposing our aerobics studio, to add a pavilion, and to add the generation space to ensure that’s a resource for youth and teens for years to come.”
The new gym will hold pickleball courts, a walking track and a gymnastics center. And a new community center, called the generation center, will serve as a gathering space for community members.
Zietlow envisions this space serving everyone – from seniors to kids – and credits Willcox for making the vision become a reality. “Picture our families that come to the Y… you hear the laughter of small children and dad jokes. You see what Gale has given is to a capital campaign to help us realize brick and mortar. In reality, what Gale has given has invested in each one of us.”
The expansion is expected to be completed by mid-2023.
