FAIRMONT – The Fairmont Area Community Center Foundation (FCC) has named April Jepson as the future CEO of the Fairmont YMCA. Jepson currently also serves as executive director of the Albert Lea Family YMCA.
In March 2022, the Foundation entered into a consulting agreement with the YMCA, which was signed by the Albert Lea Family YMCA Board of Directors with the understanding that the future Fairmont facility would fall under the Albert Lea facility.
Mr. Jepson, who just assumed the role of executive director of the Y of Albert Lea on July 1, has been with the company for five years.
Previously, she served as the organization’s community and marketing program director, overseeing program development and management for its fitness, aquatics, and senior centers.
“Dennis Deeser was previously our executive director, and FACC approached the Albert Lea Y about the possibility of operating a YMCA in the area, if we could raise the funds and all went well in that direction. I was there.” Jepson explained.
Dieser had been working with the foundation for a while, but things took a bit of a setback when COVID-19 hit. A few years later, Jepson now takes over the responsibilities previously held by Deeser.
“This YMCA (Fairmonts) will be affiliated with the Albert Lea YMCA.” Jepson said.
However, she emphasized that while Fairmont has its own community leadership, when it comes to the Y’s mission and guidelines, the Albert Lea branch is responsible for making sure Fairmont is in compliance.
Foundation member Amy Long said: “Over the years, we have worked with many great YMCA partners to establish the YMCA in Fairmont. April is another great partner we have had the opportunity to work with. We are grateful to her and her leadership. , the support of the Albert Lea YMCA and the entire Board of Directors, and the support we have received through YMCA USA.”
Long said the plan is for Jepson to become CEO of the YMCA once it launches, but she is already involved with various people and groups in the community and will continue to have consulting contracts with the foundation. He said it was planned. .
“Ultimately, once the YMCA is up and running, the foundation will enter into an operating agreement with the Y. We will be the ones bringing them in to operate the community center.” Long said.
Jepson said she would like to be physically present in both communities, but it depends on when and where she is needed.
“I want to support both communities, but I have full confidence in the Fairmont community. I think there is already leadership in place in this new building community. It’s about supporting the leadership team.” Jepson said.
She noted that the new building will bring new employment opportunities to Fairmont. The Albert Lea YMCA employs about 50 people, many of whom work part-time with flexible schedules, she said.
“If you think about all the different areas, it’s health and wellness, but it’s also community and youth. We have after-school programs, summer camp programs, youth sports, etc. We have a fitness and wellness department; We have instructors who teach classes both on land and in the water.”
She noted that the Albert Lea YMCA has its own swim team and that Fairmont has been mentioned as a possibility as well.
Receptionists and other administrative positions are also needed.
Jepson acknowledged that Fairmont’s proposal is different from Albert Lea’s proposal for a YMCA, but said he is very happy that Fairmont is considering it.
“If you’re passionate about one YMCA, you’re passionate about one YMCA. Everyone is different based on the needs of their community.” Jepson said.
A big part of her role is to help determine what those needs are.
“We’re not interested in doing programs that already exist at Fairmont. We want to know what the community needs, where there are gaps, where additional support is needed.” Jepson said.
So far, in addition to speaking with the foundation, Jepson has also met with Fairmont Interim City Administrator Jeff O’Neill and Fairmont Area Schools Superintendent Andy Traitow.
Jepson said she knows there are people she would like to talk to, but she would especially like to have a conversation with Community Education and Recreation.
“We want to know what their needs and goals are.” Jepson said.
She also wants to talk to older populations and look at programs for youth to see if there are any age groups that are missing out.
“One person’s perception is not the same as another person’s perception, so there are a lot of people who need to talk.” Jepson said.
Even before the facility is built, Jepson plans to launch programs in the Fairmont area. She spoke about the Fairmont Area School District’s new after-school program, Cardinal Prime, and she said the goal is for the YMCA to operate the program starting in the fall of 2024.
“We can’t build here yet, but we can put programming in much-needed neighborhoods.” Jepson said.
The current goal is to break ground on the facility in summer 2024, with completion and opening expected in fall 2025.
“This recent (resolution) that was passed by the City Council two weeks ago is really pivotal because it shows that we can now move this forward. We had to pass it.” Jepson said.
She was referring to the Nov. 13 Fairmont City Council meeting, where the council voted 3-2 to approve the current community center design and move the plan forward. While design details are still being worked out, the facility is expected to be approximately 42,500 square feet and cost approximately $26 million.
“This is a very exciting time for Fairmont and an exciting time for us. A lot is going to happen pretty quickly.” Jepson said.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing more people in the community with April. Even though she’s new, she’s just as supportive as Denise and Y USA. She’s ready to get more involved in the community. We look forward to her starting to make more connections.” Long said.