By Jud Fisher—
MUNCIE, IN— In April 2023, the YMCA of Muncie announced plans to construct a new 73,000-square-foot facility on the Muncie Central High School campus to consolidate its previous locations and ensure better reinvestment in equipment and programs to meet community needs. After a successful capital campaign supported by many organizations, 
including Ball Brothers Foundation, construction is underway and exciting developments are taking shape.
Learn more about the plans for the new YMCA of Muncie facility and the organization’s other programs in our recent Q&A with YMCA Muncie President & CEO, Chad Zaucha.
- It has now been 8 years since you joined the YMCA of Muncie as President & CEO. What challenges did the YMCA face when you arrived? What opportunities did you see on the horizon?
When I joined the YMCA of Muncie, the organization was facing several significant challenges. We were dealing with aging facilities that needed substantial upgrades, limited out-of-school time and early learning options for families, and a need to strengthen our community partnerships. However, I also saw numerous opportunities. Muncie is a community with deep philanthropic roots and a keen sense of collaboration. By leveraging these strengths, we could modernize our facilities, expand our programs, and better serve the needs of our community. The potential to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of residents was immense, and I was excited to be part of that journey.
- Construction on the new YMCA on the campus of Muncie Central High School is well underway. What’s the timeline for completion? What features of the new YMCA are you most excited about?
The construction of the new YMCA on Muncie Central High School’s campus is progressing smoothly, and we anticipate completion by early next year. I’m particularly excited about the bright, vibrant, welcoming, and flexible spaces that will be built, the partnerships that have been assembled to carry out our important work, and the ability to unify the community on common ground. Specifically, I am excited to see the impact of the spaces listed below.
- Two Swimming Pools: One of the pools (activity or warm water pool) has a zero depth-entry design, making it accessible and accommodating for young children and individuals with mobility challenges.
- Universal Locker Rooms/Individual Changing Suites: These locker rooms are designed with inclusivity and privacy in mind. They feature individual changing suites that provide private and comfortable spaces for individuals and families. This setup is particularly beneficial for parents with young children, as it allows them to change together in a secure environment. The universal design ensures that everyone, regardless of gender or family structure, has access to a safe and welcoming space.
- State-of-the-Art Fitness Center: Equipped with the latest exercise machines and equipment to cater to a wide range of fitness and wellness needs.
- Multi-Purpose Spaces: These areas will allow us to offer a variety of programs and services, from group fitness classes to community meetings and events.
These features are not only exciting but also demonstrate our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the community. Additionally, the integration with the high school provides unique opportunities for student engagement and collaboration, further strengthening our community ties.
- The new YMCA’s location between Muncie Central, the historic fieldhouse, and the new football field opens up many possibilities. It’s also a potential gamechanger for the McKinley neighborhood and is right on the edge of downtown Muncie. Tell us more about the Y’s new location and what it means for Muncie Central, the McKinley neighborhood, and downtown.
The new YMCA’s strategic location is indeed a gamechanger. It creates a vibrant hub of activity that will benefit not only Muncie Central High School but also the surrounding McKinley neighborhood and the downtown area. This proximity allows us to collaborate closely with the school, providing students with access to our facilities and programs. For the McKinley neighborhood, the Y becomes a center for community engagement, education, health, and wellness. Being on the edge of downtown, we can attract more people to the area, boosting local businesses and contributing to the revitalization efforts of the city center.
- Meanwhile, the YMCA has also been managing some major capital projects at Camp Crosley in North Webster, Indiana. What have you been working on at Camp Crosley over the past several years, and what can we expect to see next?
At Camp Crosley, we’ve undertaken several significant capital projects aimed at enhancing the camp experience. Over the past few years, we’ve upgraded our cabins, improved our waterfront facilities, and expanded our adventure programs. Looking ahead, we plan to continue investing in infrastructure improvements, including reinvesting in activity centers and expanding dining facilities. These enhancements ensure that Camp Crosley remains a premier destination for youth development, outdoor education, family camps, and team building retreats.
- The pandemic certainly impacted camps across the U.S. How has Camp Crosley bounced back and what did camp enrollment look like this summer? Why are camp experiences so important for kids, especially in the years since the pandemic?
The pandemic posed significant challenges for Camp Crosley, but we’ve bounced back with resilience and adaptability. This summer, camp enrollment returned to pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the strong desire for in-person experiences. Camp experiences are crucial for kids, especially after the isolation and disruptions caused by the pandemic. They provide a sense of normalcy, foster social connections, and promote physical and mental well-being. Camps like Crosley offer a unique environment where children can learn new skills, grow in character, and build lifelong memories and relationships.
- The YMCA has also been a leader in providing high-quality childcare and early learning in Muncie. Since teaming up with Ball State University to open the Mitchell Early Learning Center in 2019, you’ve used the center to help meet the needs of families seeking affordable childcare, while also shaping the future of childcare workers by sharing real-world work experiences. What makes Mitchell so unique in East Central Indiana?
The Mitchell Early Learning Center is a unique and vital resource in East Central Indiana. Our partnership with Ball State University allows us to provide high-quality, affordable childcare while also serving as a training ground for future early childhood educators. The center’s innovative curriculum focuses on holistic child development, integrating play-based learning with structured educational activities. This dual approach not only benefits the children in our care but also provides Ball State students with invaluable firsthand experience, preparing them to be leaders in early childhood education.
- There’s a lot of excitement about the new “Wonder Woods,” an early learning forest at Mitchell that will expand opportunities for outdoor nature play for little learners. What’s the story behind Wonder Woods? What does the construction timeline look like?
“Wonder Woods” is an exciting initiative that aims to connect children with nature through immersive outdoor experiences. Inspired by the growing body of research highlighting the benefits of nature play, Wonder Woods will feature natural play structures, learning stations, and gardens designed to stimulate curiosity and exploration. Construction is in progress, with anticipated completion in early spring. This project reflects our commitment to innovative, nature-based early learning and will provide a unique environment for children to discover and grow.
- Finally, as you look to the next five to ten years ahead for the Muncie YMCA, what are you most excited about? What big opportunities lie ahead?
Looking ahead, I’m most excited about the continued expansion and innovation of our programs and facilities. The new YMCA at Muncie Central, the enhancements at Camp Crosley, and initiatives like Wonder Woods are just the beginning. We plan to deepen our community partnerships, expand our outreach efforts, and introduce innovative programs that address emerging needs. Opportunities lie in enhancing our offerings, increasing accessibility to our services, and promoting a culture of health and well-being throughout the community. Our aim is to fuel personal success, forge meaningful connections and foster a sense of belonging for ALL. The future holds tremendous potential, and I’m eager to see how we can further impact the lives of those we are privileged to serve.
About Ball Brothers Foundation:
Ball Brothers Foundation is one of the state’s oldest and largest family foundations. In 2023, the foundation paid out $8.8 million in grants to support place-based initiatives related to arts and culture, education, the environment, health, human services, and public affairs. The Muncie-based private foundation gives priority to projects and programs that improve the quality of life in the foundation’s home city, county, and state.
