Fox Valley Family YMCA monitoring federal uncertainties amid $16M expansion

In times like these, Fox Valley Family YMCA CEO Chris Shue wants to ensure the Y provides open doors for everyone to find their sense of community.

It’s an exciting time for the nonprofit organization, with concrete being poured at its $16 million new East Branch facility in Bristol just outside of Yorkville, and investments are being made at its Plano and Sandwich locations. With the expanding services, Shue said they are keeping a close eye on Washington and any federal funding uncertainties.

“We are in the process of engaging our community in a comprehensive campaign to launch substantial improvements and investments in the Central Branch in Plano and the West Branch in Sandwich,” Shue said. “It will not only improve and modernize those facilities, but more importantly, continue allowing our facilities to be places where people can share time together as a community.”

The Fox Valley Family YMCA serves more than 8,600 community members annually at the Plano and Sandwich facilities, offering programs from fitness, wellness and youth athletics to early learning programs for children and families.

Shue said their educational development programs help provide essential services for the community, especially given the increased public need for accessible, affordable, and high-quality childcare. He said that while uncertainty regarding federal grants has not immediately impacted the organization, they must be careful navigating their planned expanded services.

“I’m mostly concerned about the youth development and social responsibility portions of our organization,” Shue said. “There are a lot of federally funded grants supporting youth development activities, teaching social responsibility and how to become good stewards of our environment and communities. Access to these sorts of federal grants is becoming more in question, and that has a direct impact on our ability to offer programs. It unfortunately impacts our ability to serve the most vulnerable among us.”

He said the organization is thankful to have a strong philanthropic community and state support. Shue said the uncertainty with federal grants gives him some pause, but the organization will continue pursuing more integrated social services within its community programming.

In a similar light, Shue said while the construction timeline of the 59,700-square-foot East Branch facility has not been impacted, they are closely monitoring the project. Steel for the project has already been delivered. The construction’s first phase, which includes a multi-purpose gymnasium with an indoor track, a fitness center, social gathering areas, and a kids' playground zone, is expected to be completed by October.

“One of the things we are watching is the cost,” Shue said. “With any trade issues or tariffs, especially around construction materials, it has given us some pause to make sure we can maintain the costs and keep the budget intact.”

After completion of the first phase, the facility is undergoing another $10-12 million in construction to add an Olympic-sized swimming pool with stadium seating, and a day care center featuring youth development programming.

“I’m most excited about creating welcoming spaces, places that are rooted in equity and inclusion,” Shue said. “We welcome all ages and backgrounds, in a place where our community can feel seen and be heard, and ultimately feel that they belong. Our community is stronger when we’re working together, creating these places that can bring people together.”

Shue said it has been rewarding seeing how their programming and services make an impact across generations.

“When we create spaces where people see each other as people, not only do you improve your health and wellness, you also help to build communities,” Shue said.

To learn more about the Fox Valley Family YMCA’s programs and services, such as the “Just Ball” youth basketball events, visit foxvalleyymca.org.