Katy Family YMCA to be Renamed in Honor of Katy Philanthropist
Katy, TX (September 13, 2016) On Sept. 22, the Katy Family YMCA, which has been present in the Katy community since 2001, will receive a new name: Monty Ballard YMCA at Cinco Ranch. The center is being named after Ballard, whose foundation has contributed a seven-figure donation to support the work of the YMCA of Greater Houston. The gift was made specifically to expand YMCA services and programs in the Katy area – including the construction of the new YMCA at Katy Main Street, near Main Street and Kingsland Boulevard, slated to open in the first quarter of next year.
“To accommodate the rapidly growing population of Katy, we have been working hard to expedite the opening of the YMCA at Katy Main Street,” said Paul McEntire, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Houston. “This generous donation has greatly helped with the new center’s construction and many programs and services it will offer residents of Katy and surrounding areas. It is with tremendous gratitude that we honor Mr. Ballard in this way.”
Ballard, a Katy resident, is co-founder of Fluoro-Seal International, which specializes in adhesion enhancement for plastics. Following the sale of his business, he established the Ballard Foundation, which has philanthropically supported the Katy community for decades. This is the foundation’s first major donation to the YMCA of Greater Houston.
“We are very grateful for the support of the Ballard Foundation, and the support and generosity of our board, the community and area business leaders,” said Leonard Merrell, Katy YMCA board member and Capital Campaign chairman.
Other contributors to the YMCA at Katy Main Street capital campaign include: PBK Architects, the Chapman Family Foundation, the Tellepsen Family, Woodcreek Development and the Katy Family YMCA board members.
Since breaking ground on the new center in April, the YMCA of Greater Houston has been raising funds to construct the $12 million facility, which is highly needed in the ever-expanding Katy community.
Katy’s population is projected to grow from 300,000 to nearly 550,000 by 2035. The number of people in Katy has doubled in the past decade and is expected to increase another 20 percent in the next five years.
The YMCA at Katy Main Street will serve residents in west and north Katy and in neighboring communities. The two-story, 41,000 square-foot facility will be located adjacent to the Katy Main Street development.
The new center will feature strength training and cardio equipment, group exercise rooms, a basketball gym, an outdoor heated swimming pool, child watch rooms, an outdoor jogging trail and cycle studio. It is expected to be operational during the first quarter of next year and will include health and wellness activities, aquatics, youth sports, afterschool care, summer day camp, summer sports clinics, teen programs, senior activities and more.
Those who become members of either of YMCA in Katy between Nov. 12, 2016 and Jan. 31, 2017 will not be required to pay a joining fee.
The YMCA at Katy Main Street is expected to receive more than 400,000 visits a year, and by 2019 is expected to serve more than 20,000 people. The center will provide approximately $250,000 in community assistance and program/membership scholarships as well as create more than 200 area jobs.
Those interested in contributing to the capital campaign for the YMCA at Katy Main Street may contact Brian Haines, vice president of Operations, at 281-392-5055 ext. 211 or at brianh@ymcahouston.org.
Speakers at the Renaming Ceremony:
- YMCA President and CEO Paul McEntire
- Monty Ballard of the Ballard Foundation
- YMCA Vice President of Operations Brian Haines
- YMCA Board Chairman Carlos Valdez
- Leonard Merrell, Katy YMCA board member, YMCA at Katy Main Street Capital Steering Committee chairman, former YMCA Association board member, and retired superintendent for the Katy Independent School District
- David Ruzicka, pastor of Fort Bend Fellowship, Katy Family YMCA Center Board Chairman
Courtesy of YMCA Houston
