The plan for a new downtown Boise YMCA is still riding strong, despite growing doubts about the planned redevelopment of nearly three city blocks that would include the new Y.
Faced with high interest rates, a labor shortage and expensive materials, the developers seek to pare down the project , including cutting out 185 apartments. But the new, 109,000-square foot Y is still on track, say those involved.
The future of the YMCA was underscored when the YMCA, the city of Boise and the Idaho Workforce Development Council announced a $2 million donation from Idaho’s Kissler family to support the construction of the Y’s child care center.
“The YMCA, no matter what you read, is a ‘go’ project and it is going to be built,” said Jim Kissler, the former CEO of Boise’s Norco Inc., whose father built the medical supply company.
The donation is set to fund the Kissler Family Early Education Center next to the future CapEd Downtown Boise Y , doubling the organization’s downtown child care capacity to 123 children, according to a news release. The center will serve children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.