The Galesburg City Council will vote Monday on a $900,000 grant agreement with the Knox County YMCA to fund construction of a new childcare area and renovation of a teen lounge, part of a $1.9 million project at the YMCA’s facility on West Carl Sandburg Drive.
The one-time grant, drawn from general obligation bond funds designated for community center initiatives, reflects the city’s effort to support early childhood and youth services without assuming ongoing costs.
The city emphasized that this initiative supports a portion of those needs but does not replace a full community center.
Project details and partnership
The expansion at 1324 W. Carl Sandburg Drive includes construction of a 2,500 to 2,900 square foot indoor playground for childcare and transformation of existing space into a teen center with computers, tutoring, homework assistance, mentoring, lounging areas, and meal services.
Adam Sampson, CEO of the Knox County YMCA, described the teen center as accessible to all children, telling WGIL, “It’s just another piece of the puzzle for us, engaging kids with activities that are surrounded by good people.”
He said construction is expected to begin within one to three months, following a capital campaign that has raised funds and ongoing discussions with the city over the past few years.
The YMCA, which operates two facilities in Galesburg and serves 17% of Knox County residents as members, turns no one away for inability to pay. Sampson highlighted Midwest examples of cities partnering with YMCAs, such as in the Quad Cities, Peoria, and Burlington, adding, “We think it’s a no-brainer for Galesburg.”
The YMCA will cover all ongoing staffing, maintenance, and operational costs, ensuring no long-term financial burden on the city.
“From the Y’s perspective, we think it’s a great thing and we hope it will happen,” said Sampson, who will make a presentation on the project at Monday’s Council meeting.
City’s role and broader community center vision
The grant uses bond funds authorized for acquiring, constructing, or renovating a facility for community center purposes, aligning with discussions on recreational programming, childcare, and youth services.
In the agenda item, city administration noted many ideas regarding the scope and breadth of a community center have been discussed, including, but not limited to, a hub for community engagement and social interactions, a recreation center, a youth and teen center, a senior center, recreational and educational programming, after-school programming and childcare services, and a center for social services and assistance programs. This project provides the opportunity for the City to utilize a portion of the bond funds for fulfilling a portion of the desired community center scope, without incurring long-term financial obligations.
A city statement provided to WGIL said, “The proposal is a wonderful opportunity to support an expanded childcare and renovated teen space that will be a significant benefit to our community, and the YMCA has presented a well-developed plan for its construction, programming, and management.
“While this contribution addresses a portion of critical needs identified during the ongoing community center discussion, it is important to note that this initiative does not take the place of the proposed community center. The City of Galesburg, led by Mayor Peter Schwartzman, is still actively researching, pursuing and discussing options to make that long-term goal a reality.”
