Lake Co. YMCA to close Waukegan, Vernon Hills branches Oct. 31

Lake County Family YMCA will close its two branch facilities in Waukegan and Vernon Hills Oct. 31 due to insufficient financial resources to sustain operations on a long-term basis. Childcare programs will remain operational until Nov. 21 to give parents more time to find replacement providers.

“The Board of Directors is quite saddened by this difficult situation,” said Chair Diane Fleming. “Our YMCA has reduced operating costs and implemented measures to increase membership and contributed income. We also reached out extensively to a variety of potential community partners to try to find a solution. But in the end, the impact of the economic downturn on our operations proved too difficult to overcome.”

The Central Lake YMCA, 700 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills, and the Northern Lake YMCA, 2000 Western Ave., Waukegan, have a combined membership of about 2,300. Members can transfer at no cost to the following YMCAs: Foglia YMCA, Lake Zurich; North Suburban YMCA, Northbrook; Kenosha YMCA Callahan Family Branch, Kenosha; and Hastings Lake YMCA, Lindenhurst.

Lake County Family YMCA operates before- and after-school childcare programs at both branches. The Vernon Hills branch also runs a Child Development Center for infants and toddlers up to age 5. In addition, the Lake County Family YMCA operates Y-Pals for children ages 3 to 5 at the Waukegan Baptist Church, 1500 Sunset Ave., Waukegan. To aid the transition, the YMCA is compiling a list of local childcare providers for parents.

“Our hearts go out to the families as they seek alternative childcare,” Fleming said. “We have provided affordable and quality programs for the Lake County community for many years, and we're sorry to be unable to continue to do so. Our members have been wonderful. We also regret the impact this closing might have on our staff, many of whom have long tenures with the Y and a huge passion for the mission of the YMCA in Lake County.”

Lake County Family YMCA employs 34 full-time and 98 part-time staff.

More information is available on the Y's website at www.ymcalakecounty.org and will be updated frequently.

Lake County Family YMCA was chartered in 1912, had its roots in Waukegan, and celebrated its centennial this past July.

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The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Chartered in 1912 as a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit, our association is comprised of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills and Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan. To learn more, visit www.ymcalakecounty.org