The new Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus is the first Northwest Indiana READI 2.0 project to break ground.
Local and regional officials gathered Sept. 10 in Chesterton to mark the development's first phase.
The project will repurpose the former Duneland School Corp.’s 225,000-square-foot middle school into a 105,000 square facility and 20-acre community park. The project's $8 million investment includes $1 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative 2.0 funds.
“Indiana’s READI program has already created substantial momentum in advancing quality of life and building vibrant communities statewide,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb in a press release. “With the expansion through READI 2.0 and the partnership of our regions, these creative investments like the Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus will transform neighborhoods and better the opportunities available to Hoosiers for generations to come.”
READI 1.0 and READI 2.0 matching funds in Northwest Indiana total $95 million. The Northwest Indiana Forum leads their allocation in the Region.
READI 1.0 included $487 million toward 353 projects throughout the state, while READI 2.0, with the help of the Lilly Endowment Inc., will dole out $750 million in funds for community development.
The Duneland YMCA campus will include a Center for the Performing Arts, space for nonprofits, health care providers and early childhood education centers. The first phase of the project, which includes a new west entrance facade, is expected to open for pubic use in early 2025. Construction of the new community park is expected to start in spring. The park will be named after project partner Cleveland-Cliffs.
“Recognition from the Indiana Economic Development Corp. as Northwest Indiana’s first READI 2.0 project is essential for driving transformative growth and development within our communities,” said Dave Kasarda, CEO of Duneland Family YMCA. “This support empowers organizations like the Duneland YMCA to enhance our services, build stronger infrastructure, and create lasting impacts in areas such as health, education and economic growth. With this support, we can ensure that key initiatives not only thrive but also provide long-term benefits that uplift and sustain the entire community.”
Berglund Construction is leading the project shared updates with the community on Aug. 27.
“The crowd size here reflects the community’s excitement for the project and what it is going to mean for Duneland,” said Jeff Berglund in a press release.
Berglund will oversee demolition and construction of the first phase, which will be completed by September, while American Demolition Corp. will oversee phase two demolition from September through November 2024.
Kasarda assured the crowd that programming will continue at 651 W. Morgan Ave. during construction.
“You’ve likely seen activities already taking place at the campus, soccer, t-ball, flag football, and that will continue this fall,” Kasarda said. “Pool activities, both our programming and the Duneland Youth Swim Club, will be able to continue as normal as well.”
He also said that the YMCA will remain open at 215 Roosevelt St. until services can be moved to the new facility.
“At that time our board of directors will decide what happens to the current Y site,” Kasarda said. “They will decide what is the best for the organization.”
