Photo by Jim Tate Tom Bolin is the current executive director of the Marshall Area YMCA.

As the Marshall Area YMCA celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, it stands as a testament to the “can-do” spirit of Marshall, and the support of the region in getting the structure built for its opening back in 2003.

And the time frame in which funds were raised and the structure built was “not the way it’s usually done,” said Theresa Lubke, the first executive director of the YMCA. “It’s just not usually done that way,” she said.

Programming is usually the first step, and is held at various sites within a community before an actual YMCA building is constructed, she said. After that early programming begins, and the community comes to better understand the value of the YMCA, a capital campaign begins, funds raised, and a building put up.

Not in Marshall. The $10 million for the building, located at 200 South A Street, was in the bank already, thanks to a $5 million matching pledge from Schwan’s Company. The community would raise the other $5 million.

The desire for a community YMCA was born out of recommendations from the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force, recalls Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes. “There was a workforce shortage then, and we were looking for ideas as to how to attract and retain families, so employers could expand, and stay in the community.”

The 16-member task force met for six months and came up with several recommendations, said Byrnes. One was the need for some sort of community center in Marshall, with recreational amenities, programming for children and seniors, etc. “Broadly defined, it was a community activity center,” said Byrnes.

The task force hosted a community meeting at the former Ramada Inn, and that’s where former Schwan’s president and CEO Lenny Pippin stood up and pledged a $5 million match, if that amount was raised by the community.

“There was clapping and cheering when he said that,” recalls Bob Aufenthie, the first chairman of the board of directors of the YMCA. “People wanted a community center,” he said. “The board went to some places in Minneapolis, Mankato, New Ulm, places in the area that had a YMCA or a community center, to get ideas.”

But as the group toured other sites, taking notes and getting ideas of what should be included in the Marshall structure, it struck the group that there were definite advantages to a YMCA.

“They had a structure in place, and it wouldn’t be something that was city operated,” Aufenthie said.

That decision ruffled some feathers, early officials acknowledge, “but it’s proven to be a very good decision,” said Aufenthie, who recalls a telethon being held. It was there that the community goal of $5 million was reached.

“It was right before the midnight deadline, and people had called in all night and saw their names scrolled across the screen with their pledges,” he said. “David Weiner (of Weiner Memorial Hospital) pledged $5,000, and that put us over the finish line.”

“Anything is possible when you get horses behind a project,” he added.

The YMCA sits just to the south of the Schwan’s corporate headquarters in Marshall. At the time, the land had some fuel storage tanks on it, along with the Klein Honey business.

“There was a lot of work to develop the site,” said Byrnes.

Schwan’s bought the property, and the city then purchased it from them.

“They were the broker,” said Byrnes.

That process cut valuable time off of the construction timetable, as there were less hoops to jump through, said Byrnes.

“It expedited the process as far as assembling the different parcels,” he said.

A large drainage pipe that ran from the Tiger Lake storm water holding pond ran down the middle of the property to the river and had to be relocated. There was other site preparation to be done, but things were on track to build the YMCA.

“Marshall is one of the smaller communities to have a YMCA in the country,” said current executive director Tom Bolin.

Bolin is a Tracy native whose been on the job for 11 years. Before that he was at the Kandiyohi County YMCA in Willmar for 10 years, where he worked with programs, membership and marketing.

To better understand the breadth of the Y’s services, and the age ranges it serves, sit in the lobby on any particular day. Early-morning basketball players trickle in when the doors open, Monday-Friday, at 5 a.m. You’ll see individuals come in to walk the second-story track, or use the various exercise/weight equipment available. There’s water aerobics, pickleball, and group exercise classes. In mid-afternoon the Y gets busy, and noisy, with after-school programming.

The Marshall Area YMCA has a $1.6 million budget, said Bolin. About $1 million comes from membership dollars from its 5,000 members. Approximately $500,000 comes from fees for various program offerings such as swimming lessons, day camps, sports, etc., and the other $100,000 from fund-raising events.

Bolin said that families and individuals can receive partial grants to help with membership dues.

“We want everyone who wants to be a ‘Y’ member to be able to join,” he said.

He’s especially proud of the wide range of ages served by the YMCA.

“From Pampers to grampers,” he said.

Bolin also said that the YMCA has a diverse membership, and points to Futsal, an indoor soccer league on Saturdays and Sundays, as an example. There are currently 14 men’s teams that play on Saturdays, and three women-only teams that play Sunday. They include players from Europe, Africa and Asia, said coordinator Jesus “Chuy” Hernandez.

It’s all part of the Y’s mission, which states: “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”

That mission drives Bolin and the 12-member governing board of the YMCA.

“We try to be innovative,” said Bolin. For instance, “racquetball used to be popular. Now it’s pickleball. We try to meet the needs of the community and serve everyone.”

The YMCA has seven full-time administrative staff, two full-time hourly staff, and approximately 80 part-time hourly employees, said Bolin. He said SMSU students comprise about 60 percent of part-time staff, with the rest coming from the community.

He had the opportunity to take positions at other YMCA’s when he was in Willmar, but chose to pursue the Marshall job “because it was like coming back home.” His father was a teacher in the Tracy district for 40 years, and his mother taught in Balaton, he said.

Another reason the job appealed to him is “I have enjoyed my experiences through the Y, it makes a difference in a community. I enjoy the people’s smiles, they are excited to be here. It’s more than physical, it’s also social. We do good things.”

There are challenges ahead, however.

“During the pandemic, we experienced two closures, and we lost a third of our membership” he said. “We have seen many members return, but recruiting individuals and families is still a priority,” said Bolin.

Due to the number of child-related programming, youth participation “has doubled,” he added.

And since the pandemic, finding qualified staff has become an increasing challenge, said Bolin. “Operating the Y is more difficult after the pandemic,” he said.

“Our message to the community revolves around the wide variety of programming and services available,” he said. A sampling would include group exercise, adult and youth swim lessons, senior ForeverWell program for those 55+, pickleball, CPR and first aid classes, after-school programs, child-watch, summer camps, Esports and a host of youth sports and middle school/teen programs. “It’s more than a place to exercise,” said Bolin.

The numbers tell the story. Since opening, there have been 3,678,875 member visits, which do not include community members visiting for programs, events, and meetings; approximately 15,000 swim lesson sessions; 2,325 children have participated in Day Camp; and over 5,000 seniors have taken advantage of classes and programs.

“It’s a wonderful facility, with amazing staff members and volunteers,” said Bolin. “We appreciate the community and regional support, and look forward to the years ahead.”