OUR PURPOSE IS DEEPER THAN THE POOL

The Y is thrilled to be partnering with the City of Oskaloosa and the Oskaloosa Community School District to build a new Recreation and Early Childhood Education Center. The new building will combine recreation and learning into one facility, creating efficiencies for operations and allowing crossover in programming. We can once again get our youth back in the water while attending daycare and preschool. The over 88,000-square-foot building will have two components — Early Childcare Education and Recreation with separate entrances. The education portion will be home for our youth from birth to 5th grade, with secure entrances. The classrooms will have modern conveniences that allow teachers to stay in the classrooms and focus on the kids, education and play. There will be a gym dedicated to the youth that allows for large motor development, and outdoor playgrounds will focus on imaginative play.

The Recreation Center will have expanded aquatic offerings with two pools and a splash pad. There will be a warm-water pool for water aerobics, therapy, lessons, and play. The cooler 6-lane pool will focus on lap swim, swim team practice, and competition,  while the splash pad will be a great place to introduce youngsters to water. We’ll also have a full-court gym that can be split into two half courts with a dividing curtain, with room around the perimeter for spectators. There will be more room for fitness classes, racquetball, weights, and cardio equipment. With gathering always being a focus, there will be three multipurpose rooms and a lobby area for chatting after classes or a workout. Locker rooms will embrace today’s needs. And finally, we’re excited to offer 24/7 access to our cardio workout area.

The Y is in the business of building strong individuals and families. The new Center will help us fulfill that mission for years to come. Our purpose is deeper than the pool and we need everyone in the community to jump in to make the facility a reality.