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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this facility being located east of Camp Point?

Multiple locations were researched before deciding on the current area located east of Adams Electric Co-Operative. The Board of Directors of WCICC considered several factors that led to this decision. The main criterion for this has always been accessibility to the largest possible number of people without duplicating other services. The center will have an aquatic center that will complement the Mount Sterling YMCA facility. Also, this location allows better accessibility and safety for children to be dropped off from the school buses. This facility will further lead to more economic development.

How big is it going to be?

The current plans call for a building that includes a lap pool, therapy pool, elderly friendly walking track, weight machines/cardiovascular workout area, teen center, rooms for after school programs, aerobic/Tai Chi/Pilates classes, demonstration kitchen, intergenerational congregational area, gymnasium, areas for more rooms, indoor driving range, and indoor batting cages. The building design is such that it can be built in phases. Phased building is more costly and it would be best to build it all initially. This depends on the success of the fundraising campaign. The greatest need is for the regional aquatic facility. This is currently NOT easily available to most people within the identified coverage area.

What about the Mt. Sterling YMCA facility?

There has been and continues to be a relationship with the Mt. Sterling YMCA, which was Phase I of a regional Community Centers project. The Mount Sterling facility will not have an aquatic center. The location of the regional aquatic center is a result of regional planning to serve the greatest number of people and their traffic patterns without duplicating services.

Aren't there grants for this sort of thing? Are you trying to obtain any?

Grants are often more available for programming than for building projects. Even so, there are foundations and corporations, local and national, which provide support for projects like this one. It is important to note that many funders at this level are more inclined to support projects that have clear evidence of community support, the sort of evidence that comes from local residents pledging financial support for the project. That is one of the reasons WCICC partnered with the Quincy Family YMCA and University of Illinois-Extension; to bring you quality family programming as we continue to pursue financing for the center.

Will this increase my taxes? Are there are any financial benefits?

No, this project will not increase your taxes. The WCICC board is a not-for-profit organization with no taxing authority. There will be several financial benefits to the region. A region that comes together to develop a comprehensive health facility will be very attractive to new residents and businesses. If the population continues to decline, the same costs for maintaining the infrastructure (police, fire, water, electricity) will remain and will be spread across a smaller number of people. Keeping the population stable or growing will help to spread the infrastructure cost.

How will this be supported after it's built?

Support in future years will come from a blend of memberships, user fees, grants, corporate and foundation support, and probably other sorts of fundraising. The center would meet its operating budget with 400 paying memberships. Other sources of funding would be sought to further develop more programs to meet the area's needs.

What is the relationship with the various school districts?

From the beginning, the potential for use by area schools was obvious. Use of the pool for physical education classes, for example, is certainly possible given the relatively short drive. In addition, perhaps districts could co-op in organizing a swimming team, another sports opportunity for our young men and women. This would also give area schools more space for after-school programs. There is no financial arrangement between the West Central Illinois Community Board and the area school boards. The superintendents of the area schools are on the board and their expertise is very much appreciated.

What will happen to my money if this doesn't become a reality?

It is the board's full belief that with the help of the area's citizens, businesses and granting organizations that the community center will become a reality. However, in our articles of incorporation of our not for profit organization, provisions were made if the effort failed, to dispose of all the assets to other qualifying not for profit organizations. Since our mission is to serve the rural citizens of Adams, Brown, and Hancock counties, the qualifying not for profit organizations would have to serve the rural areas. The board will not have to distribute these funds to others if everyone helps out. Together, this can become a reality to benefit the area and our people.

Why can't this facility be located in an existing building instead of building from scratch?

Currently there is no existing facility that is centrally-located with the square footage for both the facility and parking. In addition, since we anticipate a good many of the visitors to be senior citizens, some coming from area nursing homes, we must make sure the building can accommodate any special needs.

Why do we need something like this in a rural area?

If one examines the health status of our rural residents, there is more heart disease, strokes, and arthritis. It has been shown that a community based collaborative process is what helps to make a difference in achieving better health for everyone.

The easy answer is, “We don't NEED something like this.” After all, Quincy has a nice YMCA, and Mt. Sterling 's may be without a pool, but it's only 20-30 minutes away. That's all true, but the real question to ask is: “Why shouldn't we have something like this in a rural area?” There will be economic benefits resulting from this facility. People will see it as one more reason that living in the country or a small town doesn't mean giving up a lot of amenities or driving to Quincy for everything. We need to think big and work hard to make big things happen. Otherwise small town business districts will continue to decline because, after all, we don't need stores because we can drive to Quincy.

What relationship will there be with similar facilities in Quincy and Mt. Sterling?

We continue to have a strong relationship with the Quincy Family YMCA and the Mount Sterling YMCA. There will be every effort to have reciprocal memberships or reduced fees.

Is this just for rich people?

Definitely not. Once the facility is open and operating, membership fees will be set at a reasonable level, and sliding scale/free memberships will be based on income for those that can not afford the membership fee. One of the main reasons this facility is so needed here is the level of poverty in our part of the state. There is a commitment to reaching out to everyone, regardless of financial status.

What groups will be served by this?

Schools will be major partners, as well as nursing homes. Hopefully area employers will see the value in providing memberships for their employees, since the effect on health insurance demands is clearly documented through research.

Can this really happen?

Yes. There's a YMCA in Aledo, a pretty small town in Mercer County on the Mississippi between Burlington and Rock Island. There are numerous small communities in Missouri that operate similar facilities. We can, too! It will mean people from different communities not accustomed to working together do so. It will mean thinking positively and working hard to reach an ambitious goal when it's easier to say, “Why bother? We can't do this.” It means getting involved, making a donation and/or a pledge. Like most good things, they don't come easily, and it all starts with you.

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