YMCA of Greater Dayton

Greene YMCAs join Greater Dayton group

The three YMCAs of Greene County are merging with the YMCA of Greater Dayton to improve the organization's financial health and update aging equipment and facilities.

David Thompson, president and CEO of the three Greene County YMCAs, said the merger allows him to focus on a fundraising campaign to replace facilities in Xenia and Fairborn, renovate one in Beavercreek and open a new branch in Bellbrook within five years.

It will also help finance partnerships with local groups including health care organizations that the Greene County locations couldn't afford before. "The most successful (YMCAs) are those that partner with other agencies," Thompson said. The merger will not hurt plans to partner with Xenia Community Schools and Kettering Medical Network, he said.

Together, the 12 locations of both organizations have nearly 90,000 members and employ about 900 people with combined operating budgets of more than $20 million.

The current facilities in Fairborn, Xenia and Beavercreek have seen better days, Thompson said. The aging structures have old equipment and membership rates one-third the national average. Thompson believes after renovations are complete membership will double.

Tim Helm, CEO and president of the YMCA of Greater Dayton, said the merger is a "long-range" strategy to help the organization gain new members from growing communities and better serve the Miami Valley. "We think it is the best way to service the region and not compete for people and dollars," he said.

Greene County YMCA members will see no rate increases until new facilities are constructed, but should see new equipment and other upgrades shortly after the merger takes affect May 1, Thompson and Helm said. Eventually, members will have access to all 13 facilities.