After a year and a half of waiting and wondering, officials at the Kokomo Family YMCA received $98,000 in federal funds Friday, presented in person by U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, R-Granger.

The money, secured as part of the 2008 congressional appropriations process, will be used as a rainy day fund of sorts, to help pay for unexpected repairs at the venerable downtown YMCA building, now almost 100 years old.

“What this money will allow us to do is have funds available for capital improvement items without diverting money from our programs,” YMCA board president Jeff Caldwell said Friday.

By programs, Caldwell meant learning and physical recreation opportunities for more than 2,000 residents in the Kokomo area, including child care, after-school programs, youth sports and swim lessons.

But the age and condition of the building make repairs an inevitability, and each year the Y has to find dollars to keep up with various problems. In recent weeks, those problems have included the facility’s elevator and a pool pump, said director Dave Dubois.

Currently the facility is operating with a deteriorating roof, inadequate plumbing system and an outdated hot water system, Donnelly said in a press release. Dubois said the $98,000 should cover repair contingencies for about three years.

The YMCA has operated in the Kokomo community since 1875, and is one of the five oldest continuously running organizations in Howard County.

“I was pleased to be able to secure this funding for the Kokomo YMCA. It serves a critical role in the Kokomo community, but in order to continue in this role, the building needs to be rehabilitated,” said Donnelly. “This money will help pay for some of the needed repairs and renovations to the YMCA structure, so it can continue to serve the residents of Kokomo.”

The YMCA is also trying to maintain a commitment to helping disadvantaged families. Each year the Y spends well over $100,000 subsidizing memberships for children and families.
The idea of tapping federal funds for the Y began in 2005, when YMCA officials discussed the idea with former

Congressman Chris Chocola. Chocola appeared to have about $100,000 appropriated in 2006, but then lost his re-election bid to Donnelly that year.

Donnelly, however, continued to try to get funding for the Y, taking a request through the appropriations process after the new Congress began last year.

“It’s just a wonderful thing, and we so appreciate Congressman Donnelly’s efforts,” Caldwell said. “We feel like he’s genuinely interested in the YMCA and Kokomo.”