BEMIDJI — A YMCA could be the savior of Bemidji’s rail corridor, with a partnership announced between Greater Bemidji and the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties to build a wellness center in an area slated for development.
The announcement comes less than a year after Sanford Health, which originally planned to own and operate the wellness center, backed away from that commitment last June.
“It could have been fatal to the project, but given the potential impact on our community, we decided to The Board of Directors has determined that it is extremely important to continue.”
Fundraising was paused as Greater Bemidji stepped up to keep the project alive, but after months of searching, Hengel believes he found the right partner in the YMCA.
“We went through an RFP process and there were some really good organizations interested, but (the YMCA) was the perfect fit for Bemidji and exactly what we wanted. “It was clear that there was,” he said.
Several factors have made the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties stand out, including its identity as a mission-driven nonprofit organization that prioritizes accessibility and community service.
“We want our members to reflect our community. That’s the power of the YMCA,” Hengel said.
The company also offers childcare services in its main operating area in Fargo, North Dakota, and may expand to Bemidji as part of a wellness center project. Although details have not yet been determined, it is possible that the organization will own the facility in addition to operating it.
When the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties was initially informed of the opportunity to build a wellness center in Bemidji, they declined. Interest did not develop until the organization’s president, Steve Smith, had further conversations with Hengel.
“As we got to know each other better and learned more about the area, I thought, ‘Maybe there’s an opportunity here,'” Smith said. “(The Bemidji location) has the potential to become a hub to serve the entire community and region.”
In addition to meeting the needs of the people of Bemidji, Mr. Smith wants to partner with neighboring tribal nations, particularly White Earth, located between Bemidji and Fargo, to provide a variety of services needed in the broader region. I believe. He also wants to partner with local organizations and nonprofits.
“We’re invested and we have a long history in this work. That’s what we do every day,” he said.
Accessibility is also a priority, and the YMCA already uses a model that offers scholarships and other ways to ensure community members have the opportunity to access its services.
“We have a whole system of access. Thirty-five percent of the children in our childcare centers are on scholarships, and 13 to 15 percent of our members are on scholarships,” Smith said. said. “We believe everyone should pay something because we believe people get what they pay for, and we make it happen.”
Scholarship eligibility is determined by factors such as family size and total household income, and prices are tiered to take these into account. The YMCA’s ultimate goal is to be a place that welcomes everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
“It’s the power of being together, connecting, communicating and understanding each other,” Hengel said. “If we do this right, we can build community, and that’s what we want.”
With this partnership in place, Hengel said the next step will be to return to fundraising and finalizing the plan.
When the wellness center project was first proposed in 2017, the original estimate was $35 million. As costs have increased in recent years, projects will be smaller for the same budget.
“What we proposed with Sanford Health in 2017 cannot be built at the same price,” Hengel said. “We have to make choices[about what to include]but we are starting that process.”
The YMCA’s expertise in projects like this will be an asset. Smith said the organization knows how to evaluate what works and what doesn’t in the community.
“We know what works, what attracts people and what helps them succeed,” he said. “It’s about what the community needs, and that’s what will be evaluated.”
What the center will include has not yet been determined, but a rough schedule has already been established. If all goes according to plan, the rail corridor will be cleared and infrastructure installed in 2025. Construction could begin as early as 2026.
The city of Bemidji will not own the wellness center, but will use grants and a tax increment financing program to help with infrastructure costs.
“If we can do what we believe in, it will be the largest private sector development in Bemidji history,” Hengel said.
All of this comes at a cost, so restarting fundraising efforts will also be a priority. With a $25 million goal, Greater Bemidji has already raised 80 percent of his contribution, including her $10 million donation from Sanford Health.
Hengel anticipates that fundraising will resume in the coming months, but once it does, he will also accept donations from the community, and anyone who wants to see the project completed can donate within their means. You will be able to donate.
“It’s going to bounce back into the community and that’s how much we want that,” he said. “People will have the opportunity to donate and make this vision a reality.”
Having overcome the journey to get here, Hengel is confident in the project’s viability, especially with a strong partner like the YMCA.
“It’s definitely the right thing for our community,” he said. “How it impacts downtown, recreation, sports tourism, health and wellness, I’m talking about it changing the trajectory of the community.”
