Large multi-purpose center planned for Xenia
Dayton Business Journal
by Kaitlin Schroeder, Staff Reporter
A large multi-purpose center is being planned for Xenia.
The planned REACH Center (Recreation, Education, Activity, Community and Health) will be built just off U.S. Route 35 in Xenia, near Lowe's, to serve Xenia and Greene County residents' health, workforce, recreation, education and wellness needs.
The center is projected to open in 2017. However, the plan for the center is in the early stages and it's too soon to talk about cost or a more detailed timeline, said Dale Brunner, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Dayton.
The center will be a collaboration between Clark State Community College, Central State University, the City of Xenia, Kettering Health Network, YMCA of Greater Dayton, Xenia Adult Recreation and Services Center.
It would be about 85,000 square feet facility to be shared by different project partners, along with a outdoor recreation area to be managed by the YMCA.
Kettering Health Network recently bought 35 acres of farm land in Xenia for the $3.4 million for the project, according to Greene County property records.
A spokeswoman for the health network said the land purchase was the network's contribution to the collaboration.
The farm land at 716 S. Progress Drive sold for $3.4 million from Charles Strausburg to Kettering Medical Center, in a sale that closed Feb. 12, according to Greene County property records.
Brunner said the YMCA will use the part of the center as a new, modern facility to replace its existing Xenia location.
The proposed new YMCA would most likely include amenities like a full size gymnasium, modern fitness center, a child watch room with free babysitting for members, a conference room or meetings and community events, sports fields, and an expanded lounge and lobby area.
Clark State said in a press release that it will offer classes and training at the REACH Center. Central State University will also operate an extension office in the center.
“There is still a great deal of work to complete before we would be able to break ground on a new YMCA," said Brunner. "We still have major funding components for the facility that need to be secured, partnership agreements that need finalized and we would still need to launch a capital campaign to raise the needed dollars to build a new Y.”