(BEAVER DAM) More child care openings and expanded space for recreation are on the way in Dodge County as a major YMCA project moves forward.
Leaders and community members gathered Friday morning to break ground on the YMCA of Dodge County’s “Expanding Possibilities” project — a $4.7 million effort to grow child care and double the size of the gym.
For YMCA CEO Dirk Langfoss, the moment marks a turning point for both the organization and the people it serves.
“This is an exciting time in the life of this YMCA,” Langfoss said. “It’s a major expansion for the Y.”
The project will nearly triple the YMCA’s child care capacity, growing from space for 63 children to about 175. Leaders say that expansion comes at a critical time, as many in the area struggle to find available care.
“We are in the midst of a child care crisis,” Langfoss said. “With a community need and limited space, we simply must do more.”
Plans also call for more than doubling the gym space, which has been strained by growing demand for programs like youth basketball, fitness classes, and pickleball.
When complete, the new child care center will be named after the Beaver Dam Community Hospital Foundation, which made a lead gift to the project. The expanded gym will be known as the Horicon Bank Fieldhouse, honoring another major supporter.
Langfoss said the project stands out not just for its size, but for how it’s being funded.
“We’ve had 63 donors that have participated to make this a reality for us,” he said. “When it’s all said and done, we’re going to walk away with no debt on this project.”
That level of support, he said, is what makes the YMCA — and Beaver Dam — unique.
“I’ve lived in metropolitan areas my whole life,” Langfoss said. “This is by far the smallest community I’ve been in, but I absolutely love this community. We so punch above our weight class.”
The expansion is expected to serve more than 60,000 people each year and is scheduled to be completed by fall 2026.
For those looking to learn more or support the project, Langfoss said details are available on the YMCA’s website. Click HERE to visit the site.
