With select summer and aquatic programming already in full-swing at the new Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus, the YMCA is proud to introduce local business owners Zack and DeAnna Wellsand of Wellsand Landscaping & Hardscapes as the chairs of the Community Campaign supporting the project as it continues to move forward into fruition. “Zack and DeAnna are exceptional community leaders and I’m sure this will continue in their role as the chairs for our upcoming Community Campaign,” said Dave Kasarda, Duneland Family YMCA CEO. “Their unwavering commitment for Duneland, strategic vision, and ability to inspire others will be instrumental in driving this initiative forward. Under their guidance, the campaign will not only raise funds but will also strengthen community ties, ensuring a brighter and healthier future for all.” 

As a lifelong resident of Duneland and YMCA member, it was an easy decision for Zack to take on this role and champion the cause. “I definitely think the Healthy Living Campus will be the center of the town. Just the daily traffic of the campus alone will generate more exposure for local businesses,” explained Zack. “I’m most excited for the community to have access to all the amenities the campus will provide. This campus isn’t just for YMCA members, there are going to be several spaces inside and outside that are free for the community to come together.” 

The abundance of space and opportunities that Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus will provide piqued the interest of DeAnna as well when the family decided to invest their efforts in the project. “When I hear ‘Healthy Living Campus,’ it’s exciting to imagine how this project will function as a campus and not just a YMCA,” commented DeAnna. “The idea that Chesterton can be a forerunner to model to other communities what a healthy living campus actually is, has me excited for the possibilities that our YMCA will be the best in our region!”  

The Wellsands are hopeful that their involvement in this project will inspire those both at home and in the community to also invest as much as they’re able into the campaign. “We remind our kids that attitude and effort always matter.  How you take pride in yourself and your community matters,” explained DeAnna. “Agreeing to involve our family in this public campaign, we explained to our kids that drawing attention to the YMCA’s Healthy Living Campus and agreeing to help raise money was a benefit for our own family and our future. It’s exciting to show them the renderings and possibilities for our community’s future. It’s important for our kids to see us invest time and effort into a meaningful campaign that intends to improve the quality of life for all the people of Duneland.” 

Echoing his wife’s sentiments, Zack implores community members to consider the legacy everyone can leave to the next generations.“I think investing in this project is important for all of the kids growing up in this town,” said Zack. “There will be so many avenues for child development, physically, mentally and socially. It’s really important for kids to learn how to win and lose gracefully while giving maximum effort with a good attitude. Investing and creating the right spaces for leaders to teach and coach our kids how to be good humans is ultimately the best legacy a whole community could leave behind for generations to come.”

With varying levels of investment opportunities available, there are opportunities for everyone in the community to take ownership in the Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus development and leave their legacy or honor that of a loved one. Naming options range from grand scale items such as the gymnasium and wellness center to individual benches or trees found amongst the park grounds. To learn more about the development or give to this mission, visit www.yhlcduneland.org.  

The Community Campaign fundraising commences alongside the start of renovations by Berglund Construction on the campus. Throughout the months of July and August, interior enabling work will take place in preparation for demolition, which will begin this fall. “We are thrilled that this project is officially beginning,” said Jeff Berglund, President- Building Division, and Chief Growth Officer at Berglund Construction. “We are cognizant of the importance of this work not only for the Healthy Living Campus but also for Chesterton overall. We plan to work with the Duneland YMCA & Duneland School Corporation to be present and communicative throughout the entire process.” The interior enabling work is an internal process that will occur in areas of the building that are already vacated and will have minimal impact on neighbors and community members participating in activities at the site.