Plattsburgh YMCA's capital campaign bolstered with $100K pledge

PLATTSBURGH | The Plattsburgh YMCA has announced the generous support from former resident and YMCA member Gus Rietsema and his wife Diana Slaba with a pledge of $100,000 to the campaign for a New YMCA facility. Gus grew up in Plattsburgh and is the son of Wouter and Loretta Rietsema. He has been a member of the YMCA since 2007. Now living in Seattle for the last eight years with his wife, Diana, Gus maintains a close connection with the North Country and remains committed to supporting the organization that was an important part of his youth. "The YMCA, and specifically the YMCA weight room, played a central role in my life. I started working out at the Y during my sophomore year of high school when I was a scrawny, awkward, and self-conscious teenager" Reitsema noted. "The YMCA community immediately accepted me, and I never felt out of place. I met people of all ages and backgrounds in the YMCA weight room. It's where I built a passion for working out that continues to this day. It's also where I built friendships and connections with people of all ages and backgrounds. That community aspect made the Y truly special." Gus also shared his excitement for the project and added, "Diana and I are thrilled to be supporting the Y's next chapter. Bold projects like this are needed to set Plattsburgh up for the future, and we applaud Justin and team for their tireless efforts to bring the project to where it is today. We encourage others to learn about the project, take a tour of the new facility, and consider supporting." The Plattsburgh YMCA has been dedicated and focused on the project for the past three years. Committed to bringing this new facility to the North Country, Plattsburgh YMCA CEO Justin Ihne stated, "Our community is at the heart of all that our YMCA does. Gus's "Y-story" and all of these stories from members are driving our campaign towards our goal. We are humbled by the generosity of Gus and Diana and we are grateful for this support to our campaign." This capital campaign, to bring the New YMCA facility to Plattsburgh, is about revolutionizing health and wellness in the community. The timing, scope and scale of the project is dependent on the support of all sources including state, federal, foundations, grants and the community. The Y will build what the community will support and the Y can sustain. This vision starts with re-imagining the former CVPH Wellness Center into a state-of-the-art, fiscally and environmentally sustainable facility that is welcoming, diverse, and offers a one-stop destination for families and individuals of all ages and abilities.

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Plattsburgh YMCA's capital campaign bolstered with $100K pledge

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