YMCA of Metro Chicago announced May 29, 2020 that, regrettably, on June 1, 2020, three membership YMCA centers will permanently close. The closures include 3 of 17 YMCA centers — the Kroehler Family YMCA in Naperville, the Lattof YMCA in Des Plaines, and the Leaning Tower YMCA in Niles. According to YMCA of Metro Chicago, the overwhelming stress that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put on the global economy has also put an enormous strain on the YMCA organization to the point where “we are no longer able to sustain the center during and after the pandemic.”
Metro reported that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lattof YMCA has been operating at a loss for many years, mainly due to the rising costs of maintaining an aging building, and declining membership and program enrollment. Unfortunately, due to the impact of COVID-19, Metro reported they abruptly reached the tipping point and no longer have the ability to cover the center’s losses. The organization considered fundraising for the facility, but a study has concluded that forecasted funds would not be enough to cover future losses.
Metro recommended members consider joining any of their YMCA center.
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Letter from YMCA of Metro Chicago
Important changes to the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
May 29, 2020
Dear Y Family,
It is with great sadness that I write to share some important changes to the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. As you may know, our association is made up of 17 YMCA centers, five overnight camps, and dozens of extension sites located in the city and across the suburbs. Regrettably, on June 1, 2020, three of our membership centers will permanently close. Those impacted are the Kroehler Family YMCA in Naperville, the Lattof YMCA in Des Plaines, and the Leaning Tower YMCA in Niles. The overwhelming stress that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put on our global economy has also put an enormous strain on our organization to the point where we are no longer able to sustain the center during and after the pandemic.
Even before this healthcare crisis, these YMCA centers have been operating at a loss for many years, mainly due to the rising costs of maintaining an aging building, and because of declining membership and program enrollment. Still, we knew how much these communities valued their local YMCA’s programs and services and we did everything possible to keep the centers going—even at a loss. Unfortunately, due to the impact of COVID-19, we have abruptly reached the tipping point and no longer have the ability to cover the center’s losses. The organization has considered fundraising for each facility, but our study has concluded that forecasted funds would not be enough to cover future losses.
With suddenly vanishing revenues, the association stands to lose many millions of dollars as we continue to pay for insurance, debt principal and interest, and the salaries of a team of non-furloughed staff. These losses have severely restricted our financial flexibility.
Although we are closing these three facilities, the association remains committed to serving families and youth across the Chicagoland area. Members of the permanently closed facilities will have the opportunity to transfer their membership to any of our remaining locations.
As you may know, we are working diligently to prepare for the reopening of our membership centers and program sites. Our reopening will be guided by the Governor’s office and we will do so with the health and safety of our members and staff as our top priority. Additionally, we will be offering our annual summer camp program for children ages three to sixteen. We look forward to the day when we are able to resume our Y programs and when we are able to safely and warmly welcome our dedicated members, program participants, and staff back to our centers.
The road ahead is unclear and like all Americans, we will do our absolute best to recover. Thank you for your support and membership as we move forward with these necessary closures. Please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Richard Malone
President and CEO
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago