For the past four years, John Alexander has served as President/CEO of the Owensboro Family YMCA. Alexander delivered a brief report to Daviess County Fiscal Court on Tuesday, September 19.
While the proposed collaboration with the Senior Center did not move forward, the YMCA is still hopeful of another partnership for the future.
“The Y is very anxious to collaborate in any shape or form,” Alexander said. “We do some collaborations with the Boys & Girls Club, the Salvation Army, even with the Senior Center at this particular time. We are looking for something perhaps as significant and serious as the proposed collaboration with the Senior Center. And we are going to be reaching out to any other organization. If you have suggestions or can help us in locating that potential partner or partners, we would be happy to talk with them.”
Alexander said there are so many non-profits in Owensboro doing great work but sustainability is a concern.
The YMCA has purchased a former childcare facility at 730 Harvard Drive. Alexander said a new roof would be installed on the building while they seek additional funding to remodel.
“We are not sure exactly how that will work, if we will simply expand our afterschool and summer camp-type of operation or actually seek to be registered with the state to do a full daycare center and pre-school,” he told the Court. “I think you are aware of the childcare shortage and the issue of childcare in the workforce being a challenge for most employers, so we want to try and be a part of the solution.”
Alexander said the YMCA is also looking at its existing main building at 900 Kentucky Parkway.
Part of the overall plan with the Senior Center involved modernizing the space. The YMCA will look at moving forward with plans on a solo-basis to better meet community needs.
With Alexander’s upcoming retirement, the Board of Directors is set to confirm a new appointment on Wednesday, September 20.
