A foundation is offering a matching contribution of up to $12 million for whatever funds can be raised locally for the Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus.
Dave Kasarda, CEO for the Duneland YMCA, revealed the offer from the foundation — whose name he wouldn’t disclose — during Monday’s Chesterton Town Council meeting. He said there is even the possibility the foundation would contribute up to $15 million.
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Kasarda said the Duneland YMCA is launching the local fundraising portion of the campaign to finance the ongoing transformation of the old Chesterton Middle School site into the YMCA’s Healthy Living Campus.
Along with an expanded YMCA, there are also 10 nonprofit groups that are committed to locate on the campus.
“It’s time for the community to step up,” Kasarda said, noting it’s a rare occurrence that a foundation makes an offer like this.
Kasarda also appealed to the town to do what it can to help with the project. He said he knows that finances are tight, but neighboring municipalities in Northwest Indiana have found ways to support their YMCA building projects.
Councilman James Ton, R-1st, who once was the Chesterton Middle School principal, said he appreciates what is being done to convert the property into a place that will continue to serve the community. He commended Kasarda for his leadership on the project.
“It is a wonderful opportunity. It’s a super use of the space because we want the Y in town,” Ton said.
So far, about $8.4 million has been invested in developing the outside park grounds, parking and some inside renovation work that included refurbishing the 600-seat auditorium.
Kasarda and Jeff Berglund of the Berglund Construction Co., the project’s construction manager, said that $25 million is needed to still build a new fieldhouse, the wellness center and a main new entrance. If the local fundraising part of the campaign is successful, that goal will be reached.
Council also heard from a few residents from the Easton Park subdivision, who lauded the town for issuing a stop work order to Olson Farm LLC because of flooding and sediment runoff issues. The stop work order has been in place since July 30.
James Fetzer, speaking on behalf of the Easton Park Neighborhood Coalition, said the town has to keep the pressure on the developer.
Fetzer noted that because of mass grading that removed vegetation on the property, the excess water issues are creating a “public health and safety crisis.”
“You are looking at 80% indoor humidity readings and active mold growing on the interior drywall of our homes because the standing water has nowhere to drain,” Fetzer said.
Fetzer said the runoff in the development’s phase 3 area was “so violent” that it dislocated a pedestrian crossing bridge.
In addition, Fetzer said residents fear that Olson Farm LLC will eventually try to transfer the liabilities they created to the town.
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Wade Weaver, a Tanglewood Lane resident, suggested that the town might have to take a more aggressive legal stance with the developer.
Weaver said that the developer has been “unresponsive” to the concerns of residents so far.
Council also heard from State Sen. Rodney Pol, a Democrat from Chesterton, who complimented the town’s leadership handling the aftermath of the Aug. 11 derecho.
Pol in particular complimented Council President Erin Collins, D-2nd, for being aware of the town’s vulnerable population, and Clerk-Treasurer Courtney Udvare for going above and beyond her normal responsibilities.
“There is a sense of security when you know there are leaders out there,” Pol said.
Collins and Ton noted that it was a “team approach” as the town employees stepped up in a major way. Ton said that Police Chief Tim Richardson grabbed a chainsaw and helped clear the way at Dogwood Park, because “that’s the kind of guy he is” and many of the employees show the same attitude.
The council also received a compliment from Alex Cerajewski for their recent decision to end its contract with Flock Safety License Plate readers.
Cerajewski also said he doesn’t want to see the town switch to another similar camera system on the town’s major roads to replace Flock.
“Make sure that we end this. If this policy, this technology was implemented in any other time in history, it would be a person in a watchtower with a spotlight,” Cerajewski said.
Collins said the town is not looking to contract with any other company for the same type of services.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.