County of Y: Franklin County
Location of Y: Grand Ave., Next to Lakeview Park, Washington
Phone: (636) 239-5704
"As we all know, Washington is known for its volunteerism. One of the outstanding examples of it is on Grand Avenue. The Four Rivers Area YMCA and Hazel Family Center stands tall when it comes to volunteerism — it is an example of the volunteerism that prevails in Washington and also the generosity of its people.
"All of this came to mind Saturday evening when the 20th anniversary of the opening of the YMCA facility was celebrated. The “Y” program actually began here in the fall of 1985 when temporary space was provided at the U.S. Army Reserve Center. The program then moved to another temporary location at a building on Second Street that was known as the Le Knight Club at that time. The present facility opened Aug. 1, 1998.
"When the present facility opened 20 years ago, the “Y” had 300 members. By the end of that year, there were 700 members. Today there are 2,437 members. That translates into 8,267 people. The “Y” in 1998 served 1,700 people. Last year in programs and member services, 16,179 people received benefits. An impressive number is the $2,100,000 that has been awarded in scholarships to people in need since 1998. About 10,000 children learned to swim at the “Y” in the last 20 years. There is more: In community service, volunteers this year helped 45 adult students to read.
"With a high of nearly 1,000 people entering the building in one day, the “Y” has a staff of 170 people and more than 200 active volunteers.
"The man who deserves credit for promoting the establishment of a YMCA here was the late Ernie Hazel III. The Hazel company moved here in the early 1960s from St. Louis. Ernie Hazel III grew up in Atchison, Kan., and as a youth learned to swim at the YMCA there. He knew the value to people from such a facility. Early in the 1980s, discussions began about locating a “Y” here. A contact was made with the St. Louis Metro YMCA. A study was made, helped by seed money from Hazel, which concluded Washington was not ready for a YMCA. Hazel and others kept the idea alive and the late Mayor Steve Ruest became interested. Finally, in 1985, the YMCA program began here at the Army Reserve Center, and moved to more space at the building on Second Street. When the Chamber of Commerce acquired land for park expansion, 5 acres were set aside for the YMCA.
"Early leaders in the efforts to obtain a “Y” in addition to Hazel were L. B. Eckelkamp, Jr., Gerald Michels, Bill Miller and Dick Hirschl, members of the first governing board. Debbie Klak was another early leader in getting the “Y” established.
"A fund drive was held for a new building with the Hazel family donating $1.5 million that had to be matched. With some help from the St. Louis Metro YMCA, the new building became a reality.
"It has proven to be the community asset for people that early “Y” leaders said it would be. It not only serves Washington but this entire area. Congratulations are due the YMCA, and we are confident its success will continue." ~ The Missourian, July 25, 2018