Possibilities of YMCA in Holmes County being explored

The Village People let the world know it’s fun to stay at the YMCA decades ago in song.

Now Allie and Brodie DeHass are hoping to make that a much easier task for people in Holmes County.

On Monday, May 12, the couple met with the Holmes County Commissioners to discuss the possibility of bringing a YMCA to Holmes County, something they believe the county truly needs.

Allie DeHass said they have been discussing the need for a YMCA in Holmes County, and she said it became apparent the time to act was now.

“I talked a lot about it, and (Brodie) said do something about it, so here I am, trying to do something about it,” Allie DeHass said.

In preparing to discuss the issue with the commissioners, the DeHasses have been in discussion with Nikki Fehrenbach, the CEO of YMCA of Wayne County, who was very interested in helping Holmes County start a YMCA.

Allie DeHass said they were in the infancy stages of exploring the possibilities, but what she has learned is child care in Holmes County is lacking and YMCAs are one place where child care is abundant.

“I’ve heard Holmes County is a child care desert,” she said, noting the YMCA of Wayne County provides such benefits for busy parents, and she has talked with numerous people who said they would cherish that type of offering in Holmes County.

In addition, the couple promoted the idea of another place for physical activity that would provide a large pool.

Allie DeHass said they were told to create a board and begin to explore what types of funding are available to build a YMCA.

“I’m learning myself and don’t have all the answers,” DeHass said.

In order to feel out the interest from people throughout the county, they will host a public meeting on Thursday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at NewPointe Church, west of Millersburg. It will be open to anyone who has questions or input.

Fehrenbach will be part of that meeting to provide insight into everything YMCAs offer a community.

Brodie DeHass said if a YMCA were to come to Holmes County, it would be part of the YMCA of Wayne County, which would treat this facility like a wing of what it offers.

Allie DeHass said Fehrenbach told them it isn’t possible to create new YMCAs anymore, and additional sites need to become branches of established YMCAs.

YMCAs were created to provide facilities that promote Christian principles into practice through programs building a healthy spirit, mind and body, dedicated to providing comprehensive programs and services that enrich communities with a focus on giving people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity.

Commissioner Chairman Joe Miller said while he agrees YMCAs are a good thing, he doesn’t believe supporting county tax dollars is a wise investment. The DeHasses then said they were not there to ask for money from the county, only a commitment to support the effort to explore the opportunity.

Brodie DeHass said while they understand there are health-related businesses in the county that offer a quality place to exercise and work out, YMCAs offer more.

He also said they hope to focus their search to Millersburg in an effort to make a facility that would be easily accessible for youth.

“One of our biggest needs (in Millersburg), especially with the school preparing to move out of town, is to have in-town options for kids,” Brodie DeHass said.

He said the school building could be a prime opportunity, and they will meet with the school board in coming days.

Commissioner Dave Hall said he has worked with the Kroc Foundation and recommended contacting them to explore financial support.

“I’d recommend them,” Hall said. “They work with rural areas, and this might be a fit. It’s a nonprofit organization, and that’s what you’re looking for if you’re seeking outside funds.”

Hall said finding partners and grants to support the effort will be one of the first issues facing the development process, and Miller said they would support the effort to explore the possibilities. The DeHasses said they were excited to have the commissioners’ approval and would welcome their expertise and guidance.

“I applaud you,” Hall said. “I looked at that when I was a park director 35 years ago as a need. There’s a lot of civic things that happen at a Y. Your largest cost is definitely going to be a pool.”

Brodie DeHass said they will look at possibly building the Y in stages, beginning with child care prior to and following school days.