WHITE BEAR LAKE
AREA YMCA &
School District 624
The YMCA accomplishes its mission to
strengthen communities through youth
development, healthy living and social
responsibility. Shane Hoefer, Executive
Director for the White Bear Lake Area
YMCA & Maplewood Community Center,
says, “The Y works side-by-side with its
neighbors to make sure that everyone –
regardless of age, income or background
– has the opportunity to learn, grow
and thrive.” He recognizes powerful
collaborations with White Bear Lake Area
Schools ISD 624 and Press Publications.
Shane Hoefer, Executive Director for the White Bear Lake
Area YMCA & Maplewood Community Center
WBL-Y and WBL School District’s partnership supports
water safety classes and competitive swim teams.
Families know a fun place to connect is at White Bear
Lake’s Marketfest Bounce House, courtesy of WBL-Y and
Press Publications.
In 2010, the WBL-Y completed a $6.6
million pool expansion and remodeling
project that all White Bear Lake City and
Township residents have benefitted from.
Its aquatic center, the fourth largest of
its kind in the state, can seat 300 swim-
meet spectators. The state-of-the-art
facility includes a 6,000-square-foot
fitness center with more than 100 cardio
and strength machines, group fitness
and cycling studios, locker rooms and
a member lounge. Hoefer explains
that City and Township monies and
a community funding drive greatly
helped to offset project costs, but the
relationship with ISD 624 has been most
vital to the WBL-Y’s continued success.
“In 2010, we entered into a
partnership with the School
District, specifically involving our
aquatic center; the District signed
a 10-year $1.1 million lease to use
the aquatic center for water safety
and competitive high school swim
teams. This partnership has been
and continues to be integral for this
YMCA, and also in the special way
that the Y’s mission manifests itself
in the White Bear Lake community,”
says the Y’s Executive Director
Shane Hoefer.
young people over the last decade,
which has been especially critical, given
drowning remains the second leading
cause of accidental death for children
ages 2-14.
“However, it’s not just the aquatic
center classes that benefit the larger
community. Hundreds of young
people have been able to attend other
programs that guide them to make
better decisions that not only benefit
them but also enhance the quality of
life for many people in our community.
We’re profoundly grateful to have the
opportunity to work with District 624 in
such a meaningful and transformative
way.”
District 624 Superintendent Dr. Wayne
Kazmierczak says, “We’re fortunate to
have a YMCA in our community, and
we appreciate having them as a district
partner. It’s clear students and parents
value the initiatives we’ve implemented
through our partnership, especially the
water safety lessons our elementary
students receive. The YMCA also serves
as the home pool for our girls’ and
boys’ swimming and diving teams,
and Extended Day participants receive
summer swimming lessons.
“Additionally, the YMCA has served the
District as a site for an outreach teen
and senior center. In previous years, the
District also partnered with the YMCA to
provide a childcare center at Birch Lake
Elementary and after-school tutoring
opportunities at district elementary
schools.”
WBL-Y and Press
Publications
Press Publications, a family-owned group
of weekly newspapers headquartered
in White Bear Lake, is i ntensely local in
its news coverage: people-focused with
an emphasis on schools, government,
sports and community events. The
company partners with WBL-Y on several
events that benefit and unite people of
all ages: the well-established Marketfest
and Senior Fair, and – its newest alliance
– the Northeast Women’s Fair.
Hoefer says, “This vital partnership
supports the on-going delivery of water
safety classes to WBLAS elementary
students. In the course of this
partnership, our local Y has been able
to provide these classes to around 5,000
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