A crowd filled with Greater Wichita YMCA staff, volunteers and community leaders gathered this morning for the groundbreaking of new turf athletic fields directly across from the Ken Shannon Northwest YMCA. Remarks celebrating this community-centered project were given by Ronn McMahon, Greater Wichita YMCA President and CEO, Mary Beth Jarvis, Chair of the Greater Wichita YMCA Metropolitan Board of Directors, Bryan Frye, Wichita City Council District 5 Representative, and Jim Hardy, Northwest YMCA Advisory Board Chair.

 The groundbreaking signals the beginning of Phase I, which will be home to two turf fields, staff office and other site structures, restrooms, playground, four pickleball courts and dedicated parking.  The planned installation further strengthens the Y’s established priority to be a place FOR ALL to create lifelong healthy habits, values and resilience. In setting the gold-standard for youth sports and programs and making them accessible to everyone, the Y is creating equal opportunities for all participants from all backgrounds and ages to thrive and reach their full potential.