YMCA, UWEC to Spot Each Other on Rec Complex

V1 Staff |

In a few years, members of the Eau Claire YMCA could be sweating alongside UW-Eau Claire students and staff in a new shared activity center. The Y’s board of directors voted recently to pursue an agreement with the university to partner on a new event and recreation facility that UWEC hopes to build on Menomonie Street. Under the plan the two entities would, according to a YMCA press release, “construct and own separate complimentary buildings that would be shared by both organizations.” While ownership would be split, but the buildings would offer seamless services to both Y members and university folks. “In concept, this project would be a multigenerational facility where people of all ages would feel welcome and comfortable,” said Ken Van Es, the Y’s executive director. In addition, Mayo Clinic Health system hopes to be part of the project in some capacity. The activity center would be part of the County Materials Event and Recreation Complex, a replacement for Zorn Arena that the university hopes to build on land donated by alumni John and Carolyn Sonnentag.