Hilliker YMCA celebrates a quarter century of existence
Twenty-five years ago this month, 300 Sloan Boulevard on the east side of Bellefontaine was just an open field.
Twenty-five years later, where that open field was now stands the clean and well-kept Don M. and Margaret Hilliker YMCA, which remains an attractive and popular destination for those who want to make a couple of trips around the indoor walking track, shoot a few hoops, get some time in on a recumbent bicycle, lift a weight or two or take a few laps in the indoor and heated pool.
The Hilliker “Y”, or just the “Y” as it is popularly known at thousands of locations across the globe, celebrated its quarter-century of existence with an open house Sunday, Sept. 14, where the general public — members and non-members alike — was invited out to explore the dozens of activities that are available at the facility.
Jim Hilliker, the son of Don M. and Margaret, and his wife Linda were on hand for the celebration, as was Sue Crawfis, who along with her late husband Ewing helped turn the first shovel of dirt on the project 25 years ago this month.
“It was a great turnout,” Jeff Radde, Hilliker “Y” executive director, said Sunday. “We have a lot of people who came out who have never been to the ‘Y’. We have a lot of kids, a lot of families here and a lot of happy faces here.”
As part of the celebration Sunday, the “Y” brought in vendors, food trucks, a 30-foot inflatable water side for the kids (which proved to be a very popular attraction on what turned out to be a hot September day), and Touch-A-Truck, complete with a fire engine and a EMS vehicle from the Bellefontaine Fire Department and cruisers from both the Bellefontaine Police Department and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, giving children of all ages a chance to get inside and look at what local firefighters and law enforcement officers use on a daily basis.
The “Y” also opened the exercise room and swimming pool to allow non-members to give them a try, as well as hosting a swim stroke clinic, led by Bellefontaine native Amy Fulmer, and a basketball clinic conducted by Harrison Hookfin and Musa Jallow, all three of whom who wore Scarlet and Gray representing The Ohio State University both in the pool and on the court, respectively.
This was in addition to what is available to members of the “Y” on a daily basis, including ping pong, billiards, foosball, meeting rooms, gym, swimming pool, an inside walking track, exercise equipment and a weight room, along with many other activities.
For information on purchasing memberships to the “Y”, call (937) 592-9622 or visit the Hilliker “Y” at www.ymcacolumbus.org.
