Hot Springs YMCA gets new leadership
Opportunities abound for growth and expansion at Hot Springs Family YMCA, its new CEO said Thursday.
“I think there are a lot of opportunities for growth and development, meaning expansion of some programs and activities outside the four walls of the YMCA,” said Dean Ehrenheim.
Ehrenheim began his new duties April 10, taking the place of Pete Davin, who retired late last year, said John Wells, chief volunteer officer for the Y.
Ehrenheim, who came to Hot Springs from Owensboro, Ky., where he served as CEO of that city’s YMCA, said the YMCA is “really involved” with pioneering healthier communities.
“And that work has really motivated us to think outside of our walls and how we can make our community a better place and how we can create better youth development, create opportunities for healthy living and impact social responsibility. Those are the three pillars of the Y,” he said.
Ehrenheim said that, over the next 90 days, he is compiling as much information as he can from the Y staff and board, and community leaders,
to help determine what the vision for the Y will be.
“At the August board meeting, I’ll present my CEO vision plan. At this point, I’m just crafting it and can’t give any specifics, but as one example, there are seven school districts in Garland County and the Y is only involved with three of them at this time.
“So I think there is an opportunity to see if the other school districts would like to have some influence in what the Y is doing in terms of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility,” he said.
“Those are the kinds of conversations and things we’ll be talking and thinking about.
“I’m excited because I think the staff is very proactive in their focus on the mission and program development. I know the board is very supportive of that, so we have a very strong leadership group.”
Ehrenheim, who has 21 years of experience with YMCAS, said the issue of space “came up over and over” in his early conversations with staff and Y members.
“I think we’ll have to address the issues of space and parking,” he said. “I see early on that will take some attention from myself, the board and the staff.”
Wells said the local Y “has a lot more going on” than just the place where many people learned to swim.
“We’re looking at a yoga yurt, an outside workout area in a yurt, which is a tent- like structure. It would be air conditioned and heated and used to teach yoga to all ages because yoga is a very promising thing for physical and mental well- being.”
Wells said the Y has also started a pickleball program and various exercise classes are available.
“We also have an after school care program where we bring in at- risk youth and try to work with them to get their ( test) scores up. And it’s a big bonus for them because they get to work out, swim, and play at the Y,” he said.
He said the Y also has programs on obesity, especially in youth, to educate people about the importance of eating properly.
“There’s just a lot going on. It’s an exciting time,” he said.