"I'VE BEEN HERE for 18 years and I've never seen anything like this." The words of YMCA CEO Jenna Zdunek, after a second Y member suffered a heart attack at the facility in the last two months. The good news? Both of the stricken members survived, thanks to quick thinking and action by staff and fellow members. The ... Continue Reading
YMCA’s Day in Bankruptcy Court, Veridea’s Plans for a Downtown Development, the Storm Damage at the Picnic Rocks Parking Lot, Marquette Mountain’s Changes (Cheaper Passes!), and the Art for Babies Project at the Hospital
A GIANT STEP forward for the Marquette County YMCA last week as it tries to put its bankruptcy nightmare behind it. It's now one step closer to solvency. A federal bankruptcy judge officially accepted the Y's disclosure statement detailing how it got into its financial predicament, and then also received the Y's plan ... Continue Reading
The Luckiest Unlucky Girl in the World
THIRTY-FOUR YEAR old Anna Dravland woke up feeling ill on Thursday, November 16th. A headache and neck pain hadn't subsided for the last week. But calling in sick was out of the question. It was to be a big day for Travel Marquette, where she worked. Ladies Night--the shopping extravaganza--was that evening, and Travel ... Continue Reading
YMCA’s Astonishing Comeback, Barrel and Beam’s Opening, Meijer’s Outreach, Ampersand’s Plans, Heidi Johnson’s Dismay, Temple Beth Sholom’s New Day, and the Bible of Bike Tests
PHOENIX RISING. The mythical bird re-arising from its own ashes is an appropriate metaphor for the Marquette County YMCA. A year ago, it was more than $7 million in debt, its very future, with 5000 members, was in doubt. It sold off some assets but it was still $5.5 million in the red. A staggering sum for a small ... Continue Reading
YMCA Files for Chapter 11
NOBODY LIKES THE dreaded "b" word. It sounds so much better when you call it "reorganization." Call it what you want, but today after a long, difficult year, the Marquette County YMCA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. That means it's asking the court to "reorganize" its debts that still total nearly $5 million. What ... Continue Reading