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.
Images courtesy of Berglund Construction
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. 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.”
Jocelyn Hibschman, Facility Committee, led by volunteer Chair
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. 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.”
Jeff Berglund, Vice President of Berglund Construction.
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.”
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 www.YHLCduneland.org We encourage community members to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on the project.
