YMCA still on track for February opening; pool will come later

The Putnam County YMCA is slated to open in February but the big splash will come later.

The proposed indoor pool — a much-desired prospect that became a distinct possibility when the Lilly Foundation awarded a $32 million grant to DePauw University for campus and community improvements — will likely come in 2026, the Greencastle Redevelopment Commission (RDC) was advised at its recent meeting at City Hall.

“By the end of 2026” was City Attorney Laurie Hardwick’s assessment in the absence of Mayor Lynda Dunbar.

“We’re hoping for earlier,” Hardwick conceded, noting that the city still needs to work out an agreement with DePauw in which Greencastle would be a “sub-recipient” of some of the funding.

While no projected dollar amount has been attached to the YMCA pool project, Hardwick noted that the city officials have “already got a proposal from the architect and have seen a preliminary design.”

“We’ll be meeting with the hospital (Putnam County) and YMCA to discuss their needs and what each party would like to see with the pool,” the city attorney added.

In offering a general update on the wellness center project, Hardwick said “everything has been going along as planned” with no new change orders necessary and only “some small things” still open to discussion.

“There’s no more things that might cause delays,” she stressed, “so February is still on” for the proposed YMCA opening.

RDC member Brice LeBlanc asked if a road is planned as part of the project to connect Calbert Way (the easternmost entrance to the Walmart Supercenter) to the airport, which is accessed via Ballard Lane.

Nothing in that regard is planned, Hardwick said, noting the city officials have discussed the possibility of connecting the YMCA site to Jaycee Park to its south but no actual plans have been forthcoming.

In other news, Hardwick also reported that work has begun on the long-awaited Toddson Drive/J-Mar Drive sanitary sewer project near Albin Pond. That area was annexed about 40 years ago and has benefited from all other city services with the exception of sewers.

The city has sent out letters to the schools and residents of the area, explaining that through traffic likely will be shut off for the next two months, although there is a possibility it won’t be that long, Hardwick said.

People will still have access to their homes during the construction, which will focus on completing the main sewer line and all Toddson Drive connections this fall with J-Mar Drive work beginning in the spring.

Meanwhile, it was also announced that bids have gone out for a new roof at City Hall, a need that became apparent when the ceiling above the Council Chambers began leaking during a rain storm occurring during an earlier RDC meeting.

Those bids are expected to come before the Board of Works next month.

Hardwick said other work needed at City Hall includes the addition of a handicap-accessible bathroom and new siding.

Joining Hardwick and LeBlanc for the 20-minute meeting were RDC President Erika Gilmore, members Stacie Langdon, Chris Flegal and Eric Birt and ex-officio member Megan Inman from the Greencastle School Board.

The RDC will next meet in regular session at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at City Hall.