Dear Members,
Recently, the YMCA invited input from across the community about the future of our programs and facilities, including the Patterson Campus and a yet-to-be-determined location in North Eugene.
THANK YOU for your feedback and insight through those surveys.
It’s clear how much the Y means to you. We heard it in comments like these: “Our town badly needed a community center, and that is what the YMCA is to our family. I love that my children are safe there, playing basketball every day, hanging out in the Creation Station, and that they have this meet-up spot for them and their friends. It has allowed our whole community to be more social. Kids and elderly alike are not isolated at home and on their phones. They come to the YMCA for community and we need more centers just like this.”
At this stage, we are not releasing more detailed analysis of the T2 data prior to the Board’s retreat in September. This is intentional. Our responsibility is to ensure the Board can review all information—community input, usage data, financial considerations, and broader community needs—together, in a thoughtful and unbiased way. Releasing partial or early analysis publicly could unintentionally shape perceptions or influence the Board’s deliberations before they have had the opportunity to evaluate the full picture.
In addition to the T2 data, the Board will be reviewing multiple sources of information, including financial estimates and other community surveys, such as the Community Health Improvement Plan and the Oregon Health Authority’s statewide youth data. It is important that these data sets are considered collectively, so that any future decisions are grounded in a comprehensive understanding of how the Y can best serve the entire community.
Asking questions and gathering input is part of responsible planning—not a predetermined outcome.
We also want to be transparent about what comes next. Over the coming months, we will continue to:
- Review and analyze community input and data
- Evaluate options through the lens of our mission and community impact
- Engage in thoughtful discussion at the Board level
Our Board is expected to consider next steps following their retreat later this year.
We know uncertainty can be difficult—especially when it involves something you care deeply about. Please know that we are committed to a thoughtful and responsible process.
Thank you for continuing to share your perspective and for being such an important part of the YMCA.
Sincerely,
Brian Steffen
CEO
Eugene Family YMCA
