By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
OGALLALA, Neb. — As the start of the school year approaches, the Ogallala Family YMCA is preparing for a busy fall with its new afterschool program, youth sports registration and seasonal pool changes.
During a recent radio interview, Executive Director Melissa Edmonds said the YMCA is continuing to hire staff ahead of the launch of its afterschool program, which begins Aug. 17, the first full week of school.
The YMCA is seeking applicants for an assistant coordinator position, classroom teachers and several helpers to meet state staffing ratio requirements.
"We're very close to 70 kids signed up," Edmonds said, adding that applications are available in the YMCA lobby.
CEO and Board President Conrad Bostron said enrollment is expected to remain below the program's anticipated capacity of about 75 children, largely due to the available space at Prairie View School.
"We're being very blessed and given some space at Prairie View to do this, and we want to be respectful of that space," Bostron said. "There's probably some room for a few more kids."
The YMCA is also accepting registrations for its fall flag football program. Registration forms are available at the YMCA and will also be distributed through local schools during the first week of classes.
As summer winds down, the outdoor pool will also prepare to close for the season.
Edmonds said the final day for open swim will be Aug. 12, one day before school begins. Adult swim will continue through August, with evening adult swim moving to 5 to 6 p.m. once the outdoor pool closes.
The YMCA plans to reopen its indoor pool shortly afterward, with an official opening date to be announced.
The interview also marked Bostron's final appearance before his retirement. After nine years with the YMCA, including the past two serving the Ogallala community, he said he is proud of the organization's growth.
"It's been a great relationship," Bostron said of the YMCA's partnership with the City of Ogallala. "I have all the confidence in the world that it will get even better as time goes on."
Bostron said Trinity Bergner will officially assume leadership responsibilities on Aug. 18, while he will continue assisting the organization through November under a contractual agreement.
Looking back on his time in Ogallala, Bostron highlighted the expansion of youth programming, membership growth and continued improvements to the YMCA facility.
"I'm going to look back with a lot of pride and a lot of satisfaction on what we got done here in Ogallala," he said.