Initial meeting held to discuss bringing YMCA to Libby

Lincoln County Public Health Nurse Riley Black is championing a new project to make Lincoln County healthier.

On Friday, July 14 she held a meeting to introduce the idea of having a YMCA branch in Libby. Brian Steffan, CEO of the YMCA in Missoula, came and spoke to a packed commissioners room full of interested local parties that included health officials, service providers and local business owners.

“If we move ahead with the Y after the initial meeting,” Black said via email before the meeting, “we will hold public meetings to address any concerns and gather public input.”

Steffan emphasized that a YMCA can take many forms and need not be an expensive “swim and gym.”

“Bozeman’s YMCA operated out of a horse trailer for many years,” he said at the meeting. “Most Ys start out as a single needed program, such as an after school program or a soccer program, and grow into something larger.”

When Steffan brought up afterschool programs, Kaide Dodson of Libby School District noted that the federal funding currently being used for afterschool programs in Lincoln County, known as 21st Century, is being cut and replacement funding is needed.

“Having our afterschool programming under the YMCA could help us continue these successful programs,” Dodson said.

Libby school representatives also mentioned Asa Wood School as a possible location for YMCA programming, should it proceed in Libby.

“Part of the school is being used for community programs, but a large section could be available as a physical location for a YMCA,” Dodson said.

Steffan said that if Libby decides to move ahead with establishing a YMCA, it would initially be a branch of either Missoula or Spokane’s YMCA.

Some concrete benefits of having a YMCA would be having liability insurance through the nonprofit for any programs running as YMCA, and possibly having access to larger, national philanthropists who donate money to YMCAs beyond their immediate location.

However, a portion of funds for YMCA programs would have to be raised locally, Steffan said.

“YMCA has a policy that no one can be turned away because they can’t pay,” he said. “So our full fee paying members and the donations we receive offset what we give away.”

Several community members commented that a swimming pool would be a great benefit to both kids and the elderly, but the question of funding remains.

For more information call Riley Black at 406-283-2447.