A Smarter Way Forward
In 2025, the YMCA asked the Park District to pause its proposed expansion plans and reconsider moving forward with a March 2026 referendum. The Park Board of Commissioners decided to move forward with the referendum, and now the community will have the opportunity to evaluate whether they believe the proposal is the most efficient and best way to meet the needs of Naperville.
As we stated last year, we believe that constructing two facilities with nearly identical programs and services less than a mile from each other is not an efficient use of taxpayer dollars and geographically concentrates recreation centers with pools to only one part of the city.
This is a pivotal moment and decision. Get educated on the facts and decide what you believe is in the best interest of the community.
We are grateful for the feedback about how the Fry Family YMCA and our organization can better serve Naperville.
Sincerely,
Erika Wood, Executive Director, Fry Family YMCA
Media coverage:
- Naperville Sun, “YMCA urges Naperville Park District to halt referendum plans,” Nov. 21, 2025
- NCTV 17, “YMCA opposes Naperville Park District’s proposed expansion plans,” Nov. 22, 2025
- Patch, “Proposed Naperville Park District Referendum ‘Will Be Divisive:’ Fry Family YMCA,” Nov. 19, 2025
- Daily Herald, “Naperville Park District to decide whether to ask voters for $120 million to build rec center,” Dec. 8, 2025
- Positively Naperville, “Fry Family YMCA Asks Park District To Pause Referendum Plans,” Dec. 9, 2025
A Century of Service and Collaboration
The YMCA has been serving Naperville since before the Naperville Park District was even established. Over the years, we’ve worked together, honoring each organization’s unique mission and striving to prevent unnecessary overlap in programs, services, and facilities.
The decades-long cooperation between our two locally focused organizations has resulted in the delivery of impactful programs, services, amenities, and facilities, all while remaining pragmatic stewards of the community and its resources.
Avoiding the costly duplication of facilities and programming has served Naperville well and has enhanced the community’s quality of life. That is why we question whether the current proposal is the right one to pursue.
For months, many of our members and community partners have asked the YMCA for our opinion on the proposed indoor recreation center at Frontier Park. After attending numerous meetings and upon careful consideration and deliberation, in Nov. 2025, we asked that the District’s refine, scale, and modify their expansion plans to meet the evolving needs of the community. The Park Board decided to send their proposal for referendum, and the community will decide in the March 17, 2025 election.
You can learn more about Fry Family YMCA’s concerns by reading our Open Letter or visiting other sections of this website.
Community Focused Vision
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is focused on developing strong children, families, and communities through a variety of programs and services. The YMCA’s impact goes beyond sports, fitness, aquatics, and wellness.
We provide and host a variety of essential services for families and youth in Naperville, including camps and programming when school is not in session. Additionally, the YMCA’s Safe ‘n Sound program is an essential before and after school program for hundreds of hardworking families. Every day the YMCA is making a difference in the lives of Naperville residents and contributing to our community.