Schaumburg, Elgin YMCAs closer to merger

The Alfred Campanelli YMCA in Schaumburg and the four branches of the Elgin-based Prairie Valley Family YMCA are moving closer to a formal merger, with a final decision expected in the coming months.

“The board has done numerous due-diligence activities,” said Gary Bublitz, president and CEO of the Campanelli Y. “We are continuing to move down that road. There are decisions that need to be addressed at nearly every board meeting.”

Merger discussions began more than 15 months ago, when the Campanelli Y assumed management of the Prairie Valley Y's branches — the Taylor Family Branch in Elgin, locations in Gilberts and St. Charles, and the Camp Edwards branch in East Troy, Wis.

During the process of the past year, the Campanelli board has determined there continues to be a public demand for facilities in both Elgin and Schaumburg, Bublitz said. No major changes are foreseen in the operation of any facility currently under Campanelli's management, he added.

“We believe that's what the communities need, we believe that's what the communities want us to do,” Bublitz said. The proposed merger is consistent with YMCA of the USA's recommendations for smaller Ys to join together to create greater efficiencies and provide a wider array of services.

At the time merger talks began, the Schaumburg and Elgin organizations together had more than 9,000 members and about 300 full-time and part-time employees. Officials previously said they do not expect significant job losses as a result of a merger.

The two Y organizations have a shared history. The Elgin Y, which was founded in 1866, created the Twinbrook Y in Schaumburg in 1968. The branch became independent in 1983 and changed its name to Campanelli in 2000.