PARK FALLS — Gov. Tony Evers today celebrated the grand opening of the new Flambeau River YMCA in Park Falls, which was funded in part by a $5.6 million grant through investments the governor directed to support the Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF) grant program. A branch of the YMCA of the Northwoods, the Flambeau YMCA will provide area residents access to a 40-capacity child care center, senior center, youth sports programming, and a 24/7 fitness center. The primary need for the facility came about after local residents struggled to access quality, affordable child care in the community after facilities closed their doors during the pandemic, creating a significant workforce barrier for area families.
“From healthcare to child care and transportation so folks can get to work, my administration is committed to expanding access to vital resources to make sure the folks and families in every corner of our state have the tools they need to thrive and be well, including right here in Park Falls,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m incredibly proud of my administration’s efforts that have helped support kids and families in Park Falls, I’m excited to help celebrate the grand opening of this new YMCA facility that is going to help support local families, provide a community space, and ensure the Park Falls community can continue to grow and thrive.”
Gov. Evers and stakeholders at Flambeau River YMCA grand opening in Park Falls
Today’s visit comes as Gov. Evers previously awarded Marshfield Medical Center-Park Falls, a critical access hospital of Marshfield Clinic Health System, $20 million from the Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Investment Grant Program to expand access to healthcare in the Park Falls community. Launched in 2021 to help communities recover from the pandemic, together, the Evers Administration has awarded more than $330 million through the NIF and Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Investment Grant Programs to support community recovery and resources for area residents and families. More information on Gov. Evers’ investments in the Marshfield Clinic Health System’s partial hospital replacement project in Park Falls is available here.
In addition, the Evers Administration is also celebrating nearly $1.6 million in funding directed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) through the federal Formula Grants for Rural Areas program to support the construction of a new Bay Area Rural Transit (BART) facility in Park Falls. Founded in 1981 to address the critical need for workforce transportation in the community, BART provides public transportation options to local area residents in Bayfield, Ashland, and Price Counties. With the development of its new facility in Park Falls, the organization will now be able to conduct on-site maintenance and repair projects, removing the need to transport busses more than an hour away to its Ashland facility and saving time and money to expand the availability and accessibility of their services to passengers.
