The YMCA of Washington is receiving a donation from the City of Washington to aid in their $1.5 million Vision Iowa grant application. Becky Harkema, director of the YMCA of Washington County, spoke to the council Tuesday night, asking that the city provide a gift of $50,000 in the form of the land that the proposed facility will be built on.

Councilman Mark Kendall spoke in favor, saying the facility is important to Washington’s economy and he called it “a stone in the path that makes this town economically relevant for the next 25 to 50 years.”

City Administrator Brent Hinson explained $5,000 was paid as a deposit on the property and was used to develop the new soccer fields. The council will forgive the remaining $45,000 and gift back $5,000 for the project.

The council approved it with a vote of 5-1, Russ Zieglowsky explained he cannot support the project based on the feedback he’s heard about the location.

The YMCA is currently raising money for the proposed $10.8 million facility that will be on West 5th Street in Washington.