In January of 2009 individuals from Ohio University-Zanesville (OUZ), Genesis HealthCare System (Genesis), Muskingum County Community Foundation (MCCF) and the Muskingum Family Y (the Y) came together to form a partnership and work collaboratively to finally make an Aquatic/Recreation Center a reality for the community. Each partner contributes to overcome obstacles that have, to-date, hindered such an endeavor.
Over the past two years, the partners have worked to develop a complete business plan for a 100% self-sustaining Aquatic/Recreation Center designed to include amenities that will meet the needs of the community. The multi-generational facility will be constructed on the OUZ campus adjacent to the Littick Hall Gymnasium. The new MRC will incorporate the existing gymnasium, parking and utility lines.
The MRC will also incorporate Genesis Lifestyle and Fitness Center’s membership base, established programming, experienced staff and equipment. These resources will allow the facility to have a positive cash flow in year-one, while supporting debt service and contributing to a maintenance fund.
The Y has been without a permanent home for several years. Unfortunately, this has meant the youth in our community have been under-served. As a partner in the Muskingum Recreation Center project, the Y will have the facility and resources available to them to once again fulfill its mission. The Y is making a financial investment in the project and will incorporate its equipment into the new center. Perhaps most importantly, as a United Way Agency, the Y will be better able to provide for the disadvantaged youth and teens in our area.
Like the Y, the MCCF has made a $500,000 pledge to the project. It also brings valuable fund-raising knowledge to this endeavor that will help ensure its success. Furthermore, as the owner of Park Central (the old Armco Park property), which adjoins the OUZ campus and the proposed Aquatic/Recreation Center site, the MCCF will open that location to members of the new center.
The Muskingum Recreation Center will be controlled by a Board of Trustees with two members from each Partner organization and additional members from the community. The current Board members are the following:
President
James Fonseca, Ph.D.
Ohio University Zanesville
Vice Presidents
Matt Perry
Genesis HealthCare System
Michael Steen
Community Bank (the Y)
Treasurer
David Mitzel, Ph.D.
Muskingum County Community Foundation
Secretary
Cindy Linn
Ohio University Zanesville
Partner Trustees
Richard Duncan
PNC (Muskingum County Community Foundation)
Jason Lyall
Rankin & Rankin (the Y)
Cassandra Palmer
Genesis HealthCare System
Community Trustees
Kathy Brantley
Milman H. Linn, III
Wayne Wycoff
Confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.
