Midwest City, OK – The City of Midwest City, Mid-Del Schools, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Midwest, and the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City have partnered on a funding agreement that would build a new YMCA in Midwest City. Under this agreement, a proposed 74,000 square-foot facility would be built at the intersection of Parklawn Dr. and National Ave., just a few steps away from SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Midwest and the hospital district redevelopment project that is currently underway.
For more than a decade, the City of Midwest City and the YMCA have kept discussions open on where, and how, a new recreation facility could be constructed to better serve the community. This partnership creates a path to replacing Midwest City’s 65-year-old YMCA, which has seen its fair share of renovations and repairs.
“Our residents have wanted this for a very long time,” said Tim Lyon, Midwest City Manager. “I couldn’t be happier about finding a funding solution for a community project, especially this one. It took a lot of cooperation and creativity, but the best part is that it will happen without placing more of a tax burden on our community.”
Funding for the more than $40 million project will come from the City of Midwest City, Mid-Del Schools, YMCA, and from the Midwest City Hospital Authority. In order to use hospital authority funding, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Midwest will lease dedicated space within the facility. Details will be determined later, but it is expected that space for a physical therapy clinic could be developed as a part of the project.
“We are excited to be a part of the collaboration for a new YMCA in Midwest City,” said Stacy Coleman, President of SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Midwest. “Our organization has a long-standing tradition of ‘digging in and building up’ in the communities we serve, and this project will be a key piece to the hospital district redevelopment project. v”
Another crucial component of the funding was the passing of a 2023 school bond issue by Mid-Del School District voters. One of the approved propositions in the bond program dedicated $10 million toward a YMCA aquatics facility, meant to serve the student-athletes in the Mid-Del swim programs.
“I'm excited for this partnership,” said Dr. Rick Cobb, Superintendent of Mid-Del Schools. “This puts us on a path for our swim teams to have a permanent training and competition facility.”
Kelly Kay, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, released the following statement regarding the agreement and upcoming project:
We are honored to be part of this transformative project for Midwest City and the surrounding communities. The Midwest City YMCA has been a vital institution for the past 65 years, serving a growing population and providing programs and services that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Providing the Midwest City community with a modern facility has been a dream of ours for years. This project represents not only an investment in health and wellness but also our belief in the growth and vibrancy of Midwest City. The new Y will serve as a community hub and demonstrates what can be accomplished when we pool our resources together to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
The Y has long-standing partnerships with SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Midwest, Mid-Del Schools, and the City of Midwest City. So many people have worked tirelessly on this project and this is a huge milestone to make our collective vision a reality. We are eternally grateful and blessed to have such dedicated, supportive and passionate partners who have come together for such an important undertaking.
To celebrate this new partnership, a special Signing Day Event was held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, December 10, in the Midwest City YMCA located at 2817 N. Woodcrest Drive. Representatives from Midwest City, Mid-Del Schools, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Midwest, and the YMCA were present to officially announce their commitment to the project.
A public meeting to discuss the project will also be announced in the near future. The meeting will provide more specifics about the new YMCA, the plans for the surrounding hospital district and a possible timeline for development.
