The Lake County Family YMCA Board has decided to keep the Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan open through the end of this year.
“We are pleased to reach this decision in response to the outpouring of support from the Waukegan area community,” Board Chair Diane Fleming said.  “We hope that this two-month period will afford the community the opportunity to work together with the YMCA staff to develop a plan to establish long-term sustainability for the Northern Lake YMCA and the continuation of Y services in Waukegan.  Due to the complex nature of our financial situation, this extension is being made pending any unforeseen developments.”
Community leaders, including Waukegan Township Supervisor Patricia Jones and Waukegan Mayor Bob Sabonjian, have been working in earnest to save the YMCA, 2000 Western Ave., Waukegan.
Jones has coordinated several community forums about the YMCA.  The next Save Our Y meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Park Place, 414 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan.  The public is welcome.
Funds to help save the YMCA have been collected.  Interested persons can donate to the nonprofit YMCA on its website, www.ymcalakecounty.org or mail or drop off a check to the Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan.
The Lake County Family YMCA operates two branches, the Central Lake Y in Vernon Hills, and the Northern Lake Y in Waukegan. Both YMCAs were announced to close Oct. 31 due to insufficient financial resources to sustain operations on an on-going basis.