A Smarter Way Forward
As long-standing stewards of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Fry Family YMCA—serving this community since 1910—we are asking residents to join us in urging the Naperville Park District to pause its proposed expansion plans and refrain from moving to a March 2026 referendum.
Instead, we encourage the District to revisit its approach and work with community partners to scale and refine its facility improvement plan. The Fry Family YMCA agrees that Naperville needs additional indoor recreation space—but not through the current proposal.
You can learn more about our position on this website or use this tool to contact the Board of Commissioners.
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, we conclude that the District’s plan should be refined, scaled, and modified to meet the evolving needs of the community.
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.
Get Involved
The Fry Family YMCA and its advisory board encourage its members and Naperville residents to urge the Naperville Park District to reconsider their current expansion plans. By taking a pause, the community can explore a partnership model that spreads services across neighborhoods and makes recreation more accessible for everyone.