West Side Community Fund Invests in Hilltop YMCA
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 2, 2013
For
More Information:
John Ivanic, City Council, (614) 645-6798
Dan Williamson, Mayor's Office, (614) 645-5300
Web – Facebook
– Twitter
West Side Community Fund Invests in Hilltop YMCA
City of Columbus and Hollywood Casino Make First Joint
Neighborhood Investment
Columbus City Council has authorized the expenditure of $125,000
from the West Side Community Fund to support the Hilltop YMCA, enabling it to
reach its fundraising goal of $1.9 million. This marks the first neighborhood
investment from the West Side Community Fund, which was created as part of the
2010 settlement agreement between the City of Columbus and Penn National Gaming
that preceded the construction of Penn’s Hollywood Casino. Both Columbus and
Penn National agreed to contribute $2.5 million to the West Side Community Fund
for a total of $5 million by 2015.
“We’re proud to partner with Hollywood Casino to invest in
the great neighborhood that surrounds it,” Mayor Coleman said. “The Hilltop
YMCA has been a valuable community resource on the West Side for more than half
a century, and it is highly deserving of this first major investment.”
These new dollars will be used to expand the Hilltop YMCA’s
current facility with a 6,300 square foot addition. The new features of the
additional space will include a multi-purpose activity room, expansion of the
child watch area, an addition of family-designated changing rooms, expansion of
the current wellness center, as well as renovation and updates to the existing
infrastructure.
“The West Side Community Fund was created to ensure that the
economic development in and around the casino site has a positive impact on the
West Side,” said Councilmember Zach M. Klein, chair of the Development
Committee. “By investing in the YMCA through this fund we build a strong, safe
community for decades to come.”
The West Side Community Fund will be used for a variety of
investments related to the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the Hollywood
Casino development, including but not limited to job training, minority
affairs, economic development and capital projects.
"All of us at Hollywood Casino Columbus are thrilled
that the first contribution from the West Side Community Fund will give a huge
boost to the Hilltop YMCA's capital campaign,” said Ameet Patel, general
manager of Hollywood Casino Columbus. “This is exactly the kind of community
effort that was envisioned when the fund was established jointly by Penn
National Gaming and the City of Columbus. Over the next several years we're
confident that the fund will play a major role in the ongoing efforts by the
city, community and civic organizations and other West Side businesses to
redevelop and revitalize the West Side and serve the residents of the
community."
Inquiries about the West Side Community Fund can be directed
to Ashley Senn in Mayor Coleman’s office at 645-7671.
“Since 1960, the Hilltop YMCA has served as a
gathering place for the community,” said Andrew Roberts, president and CEO of
the YMCA of Central Ohio. “Kids pour in after school to play and do homework.
Seniors connect with one another through exercise and group activities.
Families come together for quality time. The tremendous support from the City
of Columbus and Hollywood Casino will help to strengthen the West Side
community by allowing us to advance programming and services that support youth
development, healthy living and social responsibility."