By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD — A major addition and renovation of Marshfield’s YMCA officially began Aug. 23. The Marshfield Clinic Health System YMCA held a groundbreaking ceremony for a nearly $16 million building and remodeling project that was first announced a few years ago.

Dave Meissner was the co-chair of the capital campaign that raised most of the money for the project.

“Bigger than dollars and more than bricks and mortar, these contributions will ensure that children, families, and adults in our community can live better lives,” Meissner said.

Meissner explained that children are a major focus of the additions coming to the reimagined YMCA, with the Everett and Delores Roehl Youth Center featuring new space for the Youth Net after-school program, Wood County Head Start, and the Marshfield School District’s alternative school.

“The goal is to have all of those different entities work together for the well-being of the families and for the kids that participate in each program,” he added.

YMCA capital campaign co-chair Dave Meissner speaks at the groundbreaking held Aug. 23.

There will also be new child care facilities, including classrooms, a kitchen, outdoor playground, and youth center where children can get help with homework.

YMCA CEO John Nystrom said there will also be the new Roehl Fieldhouse for team sports like basketball.

“The Roehl Fieldhouse is basically three basketball courts that sit side-by-side next to each other,” he said. “To give you an idea of the size, it’s approximately the size of an indoor soccer field.”

The new field house will also feature a walking track around the top. There will also be expanded opportunities for team sports and sporting events, a new strength and fitness center, and a new lobby and welcome area.

“So right now if you look at the building, you go into the building on the upper level,” Nystrom explained. “We will actually be digging that out so the new entrance will be on the lower level — or the pool deck level of the building — which will help eliminate some of the grade that exists in the parking lot, which will then make it easier for folks to access the facility.”

Nystrom said a new state-of-the-art Healthy Living Center will provide around-the-clock 24-7 access plus wellness consultation and fitness testing rooms, additional cardio and strength training equipment, and renovated exercise rooms.

Nystrom said one of the goals of the project was to give more people access to a full range of opportunities to improve their quality of life. It is the main reason the Marshfield Clinic Health System and CEO Dr. Susan Turney got involved.

“As we all know, health care is changing, and partnerships like this are going to be indispensible as we continue to learn more about the importance of caring for the entire person: … the mind, body, and the spirit,” Turney said.

As of Aug. 23, the YMCA had only $300,000 remaining on its capital campaign goal.

Miron Construction is the general contractor for the project, and Miron Vice President Tim Kippenhan said work on the project will start in late September. The Everett & Dolores Roehl Youth Center is scheduled to open next summer with the full project being completed by the spring of 2019.

Facility renderings, construction updates, campaign news, and information on how to donate to the YMCA’s capital campaign can be found at mfldymca.org.