YMCA Ends Campaign for Austintown Branch

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The YMCA of Youngstown has decided to not move forward with construction of a YMCA branch in Austintown.

The YMCA Board of Trustees announced the decision in a press release Tuesday, citing funding shortfalls and market analysis as deciding factors. Construction of the Austintown branch was to be the second phase of the organization’s Growing Together Capital Campaign.

The campaign launched in 2014 with the first phase – the renovation of the Central YMCA downtown. Of the funds raised, $5 million were used for the renovation in 2016.

“The campaign did not generate the projected funds to build a new facility in Austintown,” the YMCA ‘s president and CEO, Tom Gacse, said. “Second, market analysis concluded that low demand for new memberships would render a new Y operationally unsustainable.”

The Central and Davis Family Branch YMCAs serve more than 1,700 members who live in Austintown. Gacse is in the process of contacting campaign donors who designated their gifts to the Austintown project, he said.

“I am pleased to report that many of those who made significant contributions to the campaign remain committed to the YMCA’s mission and want those dollars used in alternate ways to impact the community,” he said.

The YMCA of Youngstown is looking to collaborate with community leaders and organizations to explore options to expand the YMCA’s impact and mission in Austintown and across Mahoning County, Gasce added.

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