YMCA Buffalo Niagara recently announced a new plan to create Camp Swan which will host summer camp and community events. The facility is projected to open before the 2026 summer camp season.
The seven acres of land was bought around 2021 with the intention of developing a new YMCA location. John Ehrbar, the president and CEO of YMCA Buffalo Niagara, explained how the change to building a summer camp facility ensures the Y understands and is prioritizing the community’s most needed services.
“We;re very intentional about knowing what the community needs and doing our homework so we would be accepted more quickly by them,” said Ehrbar. “We wanted the community to know we understand what they need and are doing something about it rather than just talking about it. We wanted to make sure everything we’re doing is a solution to address unmet areas in the community.”
Addressing Community Needs
For the Buffalo, New York, community, YMCA Buffalo Niagara wanted to address the limited options for kids to get outside. The campsite can serve up to 200 kids daily and will be a catalyst for more safe and affordable programming for a typically underserved part of the community.
The development site is located in a neighborhood with a high POC and refugee population. Ehrbar noted how these groups would especially benefit from water safety programming, which has become a cornerstone for Camp Swan. Having an outdoor pool is another way the Y will better serve and engage with the surrounding community.
“There won’t be anything like this in the city of Buffalo,” said Ehrbar. “It’s going to be a game changer for the community to provide these services literally in their backyard. It’s also going to be an asset as we’re planning to have some areas available for community use and programs as well. We’re trying to keep everything in mind and listen to their feedback while still making smart business decisions.”
Its central, urban location has also required the Y to ensure safety remains top of mind as it designs the facility. Parents will feel confident sending their kids to Camp Swan, but the building will remain aesthetically pleasing. Leadership is also working to ensure the facility remains programmatic, sustainable and usable for years to come.
Strategic Budget Planning
Another strategy YMCA Buffalo Niagara has adopted to minimize costs during development is building a facility around a budget versus building a budget around the facility. For Camp Swan, the cap is $5 million. With this method, the community’s needs are met without needing to continuously fundraise.
“I told our board we need to have a realistic, attainable plan,” explained Ehrbar. “It started off as $20 million in construction but ballooned to over $40 million for a whole new facility. There was no way we were going to raise enough money because philanthropy is difficult. That’s why we shifted to this budget cap plan because we’re still meeting our community’s needs.”
While the Y is still early in the development process, both the staff and surrounding community are excited to see the project come to fruition. Ehrbar noted the Y’s role as a solution-based organization. As such, serving the community and meeting its needs remains at the heart and mission of the development of Camp Swan.
Want more resources like this sent straight to your inbox each week? Sign up for a digital subscription here.
