DMACC and the YMCA of Greater Des Moines announced March 9 they will not partner to operate the recreation facility currently under construction on the DMACC Ankeny Campus.
“We have been pleased with the working relationship we have developed with DMACC. After many discussions and months of effort, unfortunately we were unable to reach an agreement that worked for both parties. The YMCA has a long standing relationship with the Ankeny community and will continue to serve as we have for the past 27 years, providing a safe place for people to belong, build relationships and achieve personal goals,” says Jim Noyce, Interim CEO of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines.
“We were hopeful we could agree on terms because we believe the partnership would have had many positive benefits for the community. However, we wish DMACC all the best as they move forward with this project.”
Rob Denson, President of DMACC added: “It has been enjoyable to work with YMCA leadership for the last year and we appreciate the spirit of openness and transparency during our discussions. Leaders from both of our Boards spent hours reviewing projections and various options but could not find a clear path to the outcome each organization needed to achieve. The DMACC Board will now consider alternative options for management and opportunities for public use. In the next 45 – 60 days DMACC plans to announce the projected opening date for the recreation center, now expected to be mid-spring 2017. DMACC and the Ankeny School District have already approved an agreement that allows Ankeny Schools swim teams to utilize the eight lane competition pool and diving well.”
“Students today expect state-of-the-art learning and recreational facilities,” said Dr. Kim Linduska, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost of the Ankeny Campus.
“A facility of this magnitude will boost on-campus activity and studies show that increased engagement leads to higher retention rates and better grades for students.”
Comments