YMCA Selects CM and AE Firms Press Release July 10

For release by the Duneland YMCA

Duneland Y Board of Directors select Local Construction and Architecture firms for future YMCA Healthy Living Campus

CHESTERT0N, IN, July 13, 2023 – Duneland is one step closer to being the home of the new YMCA Healthy Living Campus (YHLC) as construction and architecture firms for the collaborative project were recently selected.

Berglund Construction will serve as the construction manager, and Moake Park Group will serve as the architect. Both firms will work closely with the YMCA Board, staff, collocated partners, and community to design and deliver the new Y facility and collocated partner spaces that anchor the healthy living campus on the site of the Chesterton Middle School. As a result, this project will increase the scale and scope of services accessible to all the residents of the Duneland communities.

The Duneland Y engaged Gro Development Inc., the nation’s leading designer of YMCA stand-alone and collaborative facilities, to assist in program and service-focused design. The consulting firm had highly specific requirements to identify applicants. It vetted each candidate through a multi-step process aimed at identifying the expertise and skillset needed for a project of this magnitude. Gro invited final candidates for a comprehensive interview with the Facility Committee, led by volunteer Chair Jocelyn Hibschman and composed of Duneland community leaders and YMCA leadership. This committee worked with the firm to select their preferred candidates and made a formal recommendation to the Duneland Y Board of Directors, who then ratified the choice.

“We are very excited to add Berglund Construction and the Moake Park Group to the team bringing the YMCA Health Living Campus to life,” said Jocelyn Hibschman. ” We had a qualified and focused group of local leaders serve on the selection committee. We followed a disciplined process that helped our committee choose from a very qualified group of architecture and construction management firms.”

Berglund Construction is a fourth-generation, family-owned and -operated construction and building restoration firm with deep roots in Duneland. The Chesterton office undertakes significant construction projects in the Northwest Indiana region and supports local non-profit organizations through their dedicated community engagement program. Berglund brings extensive experience in delivering complex building projects while partnering with the community to ensure all needs are met.

“I grew up in Chesterton, and I’m proud to call it home today,” says Jeff Berglund, Vice President of Berglund Construction. “I am grateful for this opportunity to leverage what our company does best to further the cause of the Duneland Family YMCA, an invaluable community institution. This project will be a source of tremendous pride for our company.”

The Moake Park Group, out of Fort Wayne, IN, has successfully worked with YMCA facilities for over 30 years and is committed to creating spaces that inspire and enrich lives. Moake Park has an exceptional track record that brings an innovative design approach and commitment to sustainability. With a deep understanding of the unique needs of community spaces, Moake Park Group is poised to create a transformative space that will serve as an education, health, and social equity hub.

“We are honored to have been selected for this significant project. Our team is excited to collaborate with the Y team and their partners to create a facility that not only meets their current needs but anticipates future demands,” states Jeff Schroeder, President of Moake Park Group.

Berglund Construction and Moake Park Group are currently in the concepting and developing phase of design. Construction is slated to start in summer 2024. Duneland YMCA will pursue a combination of public, private, corporate, and philanthropic support to cover the cost of the renovation and adaptive reuse of the portion of the Chesterton Middle School building and the construction of new square footage.

To learn more about the Duneland YMCA, the future YHLC, its partners, visit YHLCduneland.org. We encourage community members to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on the project.

About the Y

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women, and children – regardless of age, income, or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has long-standing relationships and a physical presence not just to promise but to deliver lasting personal and social change. www.dunelandymca.org

About Berglund Construction

Berglund Construction is a fourth-generation, family-owned and -operated construction and building restoration firm. We draw from over a century of expertise to deliver projects for clients with highly technical requirements. Our collaborative approach ensures high-quality work, safe job sites and on-time project delivery. Our vibrant Chesterton office has delivered significant construction projects throughout Northwest Indiana. As evidenced by our long­standing partnerships with repeat clients, we champion trust, transparency and close collaboration. We believe our clients’ long-term success is our success. Follow our Instagram for project updates and behind-the-scenes footage of our innovation at work: @berglundconstruction. www.berglundco.com

About Moake Park Group

Moake Park Group was founded in 1988 and has spent years building a reputation of creativity, thoroughness and a willingness to listen to our clients. We are committed to creating environments that inspire and enrich lives. We have successfully completed numerous projects across various sectors including sports and recreation, education, healthcare and commercial buildings. We take pride in our ability to combine functionality, aesthetics and sustainability to deliver exceptional architectural solutions. For more information about Moake Park Group and their portfolio of projects, please visit www.moakepark.com or follow them on facebook.