It's rather fair to think of the Ottawa YMCA and Bill Walsh Automotive Group as major parts of the city's history, with one currently supporting the other in important ways.
Bill Walsh Automotive Group donated $100,000 for a new YMCA building on the river, presented by Group Manager Bill Walsh Jr. to Y Executive Director Joe Capes.
This donation, made in the names of Bill Walsh, Sr., Phyllis Walsh, and Bill Walsh, Jr., is the latest in the family's decades-long support of the YMCA, and a token of appreciation for that support. The preschool classroom in the new building will be named after the Walsh family.
Capes viewed the donation as an example of his family's dedication and community support as the $27.5 million, 67,000-square-foot building is 85 percent complete in becoming a jewel on the city's riverfront. .
“We have undertaken many initiatives like this over the past five years, but it is truly impressive that a community of our size has raised over $7 million for the construction of this new facility.” Capes said. “Everyone has been so generous, not just business owners but individuals, and the Walshes have been great supporters of the Y in both ways.
“Bill Sr. has been a supporter and champion of our youth programs for many years, so it is fitting that one of our preschool classrooms will be named after the Walsh family.”
Capeche added that construction on the building could be completed as early as mid-April, with traps and staff expected to arrive and be ready for the public by mid- or late-May.
“Our family has always been a big supporter of the YMCA here in Ottawa, even though it's an older facility, and we're thrilled to be a part of this new chapter for the YMCA and a new chapter for Ottawa.” Bill Walsh said. Junior said. “This is a very important part of the community, and there are parts that we can also leverage as a team here (Automotive Group). Education, physical fitness, family, we really hit on all the points that we work on here every day. .”
“Whoever planned this city all those years ago definitely did it the right way, so we can enjoy it now.”
— Bill Walsh Jr. on Ottawa riverfront development including new YMCA
Walsh said she hasn't seen the inside of the building yet, but she's looking forward to more than just a glimpse of the structure she sees every day when she crosses the Illinois River bridge.
“So far the building has been great and everyone I've talked to who has experienced it has raved about it,” he said. “That's what's fun about it. It's going to be a cornerstone and an important part of the whole redeveloped riverfront campus, so it's going to shine in the community.
“It's a great project. It means a lot to a lot of people, and it's just essential for a community of our size.”
Walsh is also looking forward to development on the rest of Ottawa's waterfront, which is somewhat unique, including a park and possibly an amphitheater to the east of the new building.
“We need to really optimize what we can do in that area,” Walsh said. “There aren't many communities along the river that don't have industry dominating the landscape. Whoever planned this city years ago definitely did it the right way, so we can enjoy this city now. .
“The city and community planners have done a really great job over the years to make sure it's accessible to everyone and well-maintained.”
