Mayo Clinic Announces $400,000 Commitment to Rochester Area Family Y

Mayo Clinic
Tuesday, 25 November 2003

Mayo Clinic today announced a $400,000 commitment to the Rochester Area Family Y Capital Campaign.

Half of the money, $200,000, will be donated now. The remaining $200,000 will be allotted in matching grants of $50,000 a year for the next four years.

"The Y is a fabulous resource for the entire community, for fitness, for fun, for teen mentoring and many community outreach programs," says Kerry Olsen, M.D., a Mayo Clinic physician and member of the Mayo Clinic Board of Governors. "We hope that Mayo Clinic's initial gift and these matching grants will encourage others to donate."

The Y is working to raise $3.5 million for phase one of a multiyear plan to expand and update its facilities. With Mayo Clinic's contribution, the Y has raised $1.45 million towards its goal.

The first phase of the capital campaign will provide for a warm-water family and therapeutic swimming pool with a sloped (zero depth) entry. The sloped entry will allow easier access for small children and people with disabilities than traditional pools.

"A family pool means we can offer more swimming and water exercise classes, expand recreational swim time, and make it much easier for people with disabilities or medical issues to use the pool," says Dean Stenehjem, executive director of the Rochester Area Family Y. The Y's existing pool will continue to be available for lap swimming.

Funds also will be used to expand locker rooms to better accommodate families with small children and people with disabilities and to remodel and expand the fitness area.

Use of the Fitness Center has been increasing at least 10 percent a month since 2000. "We can't accommodate all those who wish to use this affordable facility," says Stenehjem. With the successful capital campaign, the Y hopes to double the size of the fitness center, add cardiovascular and weight training equipment, and add an indoor running track.

Mark Warner, M.D., president of the board of the Rochester Area Family Y and co-chair of the Y's capital campaign, says this donation is a continuation of ongoing collaboration between the Y and Mayo Clinic. "The Y offers rehabilitation and health maintenance programs that benefit many people. But it's so much more -- a place for people of all ages to meet, participate and learn," he says. "A healthy growing Y benefits the whole community."

The Rochester Area Family Y, built in 1964, was last expanded in 1974. The Y offers more than 100 programs including youth mentoring, medical rehabilitation programs, individual and family counseling as well as fitness programs and activities for all ages. All participants are welcome, regardless of their ability to pay for the services.

For more information, or to contact Mayo Clinic, see their website at: www.mayoclinic.org