Park and ‘Y’ a good fit

Published 10:12 pm Tuesday, July 18, 2006

By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The amount of money would make anyone scream.
But, the $3,500 donation to the new YMCA was not meant to scare. It was the Niles Haunted House Scream Park's way of giving back.
"That's really what we're here for is helping the community," said Don Kirkendall, director of the Scream Park.
He said it was one of the larger donations from the Scream Park.
Kirkendall presented Executive Director of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA Bret Hendrie with a check Monday at the site of the new 'Y'. The Scream Park made the donation to help with the facility being constructed along Front Street in Niles.
Kirkendall said the idea for the donation came from the Scream Park's board of directors, in particular vice president and YMCA member Pete Karlowicz.
"He really believes in people and he just thought this was it," Kirkendall said.
The non-profit Scream Park provides other area organizations or teams with an opportunity to raise funds, Kirkendall said. He said groups like the Niles High School band and Boy Scouts troops work the Scream Park and in exchange are paid by the hour. The participating organization is then given a lump check for their time at the Scream Park.
"They enjoy working out there," Kirkendall said.
The Scream Park has been chosen as the location for project graduation for Niles, Brandywine, Cassopolis and Buchanan high schools, Kirkendall said.
"They pick where they want to go and they picked us and it was rally neat," he said.
The $3,500 was generated from visitors to the Scream Park on Mayflower Road, Kirkendall said. Other funds from entry fees are put toward re-vamping the Scream Park each year.
Kirkendall said board members and volunteers work year-round to change the Scream Park so each year is different for visitors. He said board members even travel to amusement parks around the country to get ideas for the annual haunted house, "just to see what they do."
Hendrie said the 'Y' and the Scream Park are both in the business of helping members of the Niles community.
"That's their uniqueness. They're involved in raising funds for youth and they give out scholarships. It was a good fit," Hendrie said. "We're appreciative obviously the Niles Haunted House organization for stepping up and supporting this worth-while project."
Hendrie said the original plans for the new 'Y' had to be downsized because of a rise in the cost of steel. But, more donations could one day give the 'Y' a chance to add on to the facility.
"We've exceeded our original goal of $325 million, but there was a $2 million cost increase of materials," Hendrie said. "We've raised just under $3.5 million so far and we're still raising funds."
Anyone interested in seeing the new YMCA can call 683-1552 and reserve a spot on one of the tours, which are being held Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and Thursday at 8 a.m. and noon. More tours will be held in August.