Springfield YMCA chief leaves for Chicago

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Jim Weaton, chief executive officer of the YMCA in Spring-field, has gone to work as membership development specialist for the Y's national office in Chicago.|ret||ret||tab|

Prior to taking the position of CEO in Springfield, Weaton served as CEO of the Y in Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa.|ret||ret||tab|

His new position "is a great opportunity to be part of the national development of membership," he said. |ret||ret||tab|

"I feel strongly about the mission of the YMCA to be caring, honest, respectful and responsible," Weaton said. |ret||ret||tab|

"In this new position, I can influence the national directors of the Y. I'll be overseeing the membership development of the over 27,000 YMCAs across the country, including Hawaii and Alaska. I'll be able to help take the Y members from a casual to a connected relationship with us," he added.|ret||ret||tab|

Weaton believes he was chosen for the job in Chicago because of his "years of experience and his work in the area of membership development." |ret||ret||tab|

When he became CEO of the Springfield Y five years ago, Weaton said, there were 7,200 participating members in Springfield. |ret||ret||tab|

Today, there are between 15,000 and 20,000 members. In that same time, the YMCA's budget went from $2.5 million to $5 million.|ret||ret||tab|

The YMCA's board of directors is in the process of selecting someone to replace Weaton.|ret||ret||tab|

"They hope to have someone take my job on or around June l," Weaton said. |ret||ret||tab|

"In the interim, a team of three staff leaders will fulfill my responsibilities," he added.|ret||ret||tab|

Weaton said the Springfield CEO position is an attractive one.|ret||ret||tab|

"Springfield is one of the top 150 Ys in the country," he said. "I have mixed emotions about leaving the job and the community. I'm looking forward to my new job and being in Chicago, but my wife Nancy and I will miss this community."|ret||ret||tab|

Weaton had his office in the Pearson Ward branch of the Y at 417 S. Jefferson. |ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield YMCA operation also includes the Pat Jones branch at 1901 E. Republic Road and Camp Waconda, an 80-acre camp near Halltown.|ret||ret||tab|

Future plans for YMCAs in the Ozarks include a new Y in Bolivar and one in Branson.|ret||ret||tab|

"The money has to be raised first," Weaton said. "After that's done, they should be completed in a year to 18 months."|ret||ret||tab|

He said the Y's board of directors was approached by leaders in Branson and Bolivar about building Y facilities in their cities. |ret||ret||tab|

As for continued remodeling plans at the Pearson Ward Y, Weaton said the first stage of the second phase will commence sometime early this summer.|ret||ret||tab|

Sapp Design Associates is the architect on the project. The first phase, which was completed in 1997, included restoring the basement level, pool area and the second floor fitness area.|ret||ret||tab|

The second phase includes additional fitness facilities, another women's locker room and administrative office space for the YMCAs in Springfield, Branson and Bolivar.|ret||ret||tab|

The cost of the project is yet to be determined but is estimated at somewhere between $1.5 million and $2.2 million.[[In-content Ad]]