The YMCA is continuing its process for a grant request from Enhance Iowa and they’ll soon have the support of the county without any county funds going to the project.

At this week’s Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting YMCA CEO Amy Schulte requested a letter of support for the project, “We spoke with Nicole Shalla the administrator of the grant process and she said that we would still be eligible to submit our grant request to them even without funding from the county, but she thought that we still needed to show support. So, what we’re looking for would be a letter from the supervisors. I think the last couple of times we’ve been here and talked to you, I think that there’s support for the idea of a new Y in the community, and support for the services and programs it offers. So that’s what we would be looking for would be a letter that indicates that the board of supervisors recognizes the benefits of the new facility for the community, so that way we can present that in our grant application.”

The Y is looking to build a new facility in phases on West 5th Street in Washington. The first phase is $9.2 million and they are seeking $900,000 from Enhance Iowa. So far $7.9 million has been raised in private donations and grants. Earlier this month the supervisors voted against financially aiding the project, but this week they unanimously approved drafting a letter of support.