Published: November 19, 2008 04:34 pm      

Health fitness campus planned for Avon

AVON — — A large crowd filled the Town Hall here Tuesday as officials with Hendricks Regional Health and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis announced a partnership and their plans to build central Indiana’s first fully-integrated YMCA and hospital collaboration.

The 100,000 square-foot Healthy Lifestyle Center, to be called the Hendricks Regional Health YMCA, will sit on 28.8 acres of land along U.S. 36 in Avon and will allow both organizations the opportunity to provide the most comprehensive health, wellness, nutrition, and stress management services available to the community.

“Hendricks Regional Health was looking to build a fitness facility of some kind in the area,” said Dennis Dawes, CEO of HRH. “This is a great opportunity for the hospital to impact the community from a lifestyle standpoint. This was not something we wanted to do alone. The YMCA has a great reputation and I think together we will provide a great medical component.”

Due to both organizations’ strong commitment to health and wellness, the Hendricks Regional Health YMCA will be a destination where people can learn, plan, and take action to improve their health and quality of life. The campus will offer a host of health and wellness services designed around the needs of the community.

Eric J. Ellsworth, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, said, “This has been a long time coming. We wouldn’t be able to make this happen without the partnership with Hendricks Regional Health.”

The partnership will provide residents with health, wellness, and medical services provided seamlessly under one roof. YMCA amenities will include an indoor aquatics center, a state-of-the-art wellness center, a dance/aerobics studio, a sports gymnasium, a teen center, a child watch area, an indoor climbing wall, outdoor sports fields, walking trails, and an outdoor education center. HRH will provide physical and occupational therapies, cardiac rehabilitation, complete lab and X-ray services, new medical practices (including a family practice), and sports medicine.

“Our hospital’s mission is to improve the health of our region,” Dawes said. “Preventative care and healthy lifestyles are important components to improving health and achieving a good quality of life. Our partnership with the YMCA will provide westside residents with a terrific opportunity to improve their health and wellness and establish life-long healthy habits for their families.”

HRH will also offer other hospital outreach services such as nutrition counseling and diabetes education.

Ellsworth added, “With the alarming rates of obesity, pre-diabetes, and other preventable chronic diseases, the YMCA and Hendricks Regional Health felt compelled to come together and help area residents live healthier lives by providing a holistic approach for better well being.”

The new facility will cost more than $18 million to construct. Thanks to a lead gift of $5 million from HRH and the committed support from the United Way of Central Indiana Capital Fund, Duke Energy, the Skillman Corporation, and other corporate and individual donors, the campaign already has more than 60 percent of the project funded. In order to reach their goal, the YMCA needs to raise $13.5 million from the community, said Bart York, west district YMCA board chair.

Dawes said the property has been bought, and they have a lot of work ahead of them. He said construction could begin as early as the summer of 2009, based on campaign progress, with a projected opening date for the facility in late 2010.

Tom Zupancic, honorary campaign chair for the West District Branch YMCA, said, “It’s going to take a village, folks, to get this job done. We invite the entire community to support this important new resource that will benefit thousands of kids and families.”

Currently, the YMCA offers programs for the westside community through its West District Branch YMCA Program Office at 7811 W. Morris St., Indianapolis. The branch collaborates with area schools and agencies to offer before and after school childcare and programs that focus on healthy lifestyles.

Public updates about the new Hendricks Regional Health YMCA may be obtained by visiting the websites at www.indymca.org or www.hendricks.org.



SIDEBAR:

About YMCA

n The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis serves more than 171,000 people in diverse communities throughout greater Indianapolis. The YMCA brings together young and old, men and women, people of all faiths, backgrounds, and incomes.

Last year, the YMCA provided more than $6 million in scholarships, subsidies, and under-written programs and community services in low income neighborhoods.

Through 12 branches and in collaboration with more than 200 churches, schools, and other community groups and organizations, the YMCA is also able to extend its program opportunities throughout Central Indiana and into the heart of urban neighborhoods.



About HRH

n Since 1962, Hendricks Regional Health has served as the area’s leading healthcare provider by delivering innovative care with a personal touch. Licensed by the Indiana State Department of Health and accredited by the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, HRH staffs a full complement of physicians in 56 specialties at locations in Danville, Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg, and Lizton.

HRH also plays a vital role on the west side of Indianapolis by offering education, support, and care for residents and fellow non-profit agencies that focus on improving the well-being of the community.



andrea.hirsch@flyergroup.com