The Peoria Park District is joining up with the Greater Peoria Family YMCA in a new collaboration aimed at sustaining RiverPlex operations moving forward.
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center's joint operating agreement with the park district ends this year after a two-decade run. The new agreement with the YMCA is slated to begin Jan. 1, pending board approval.
Park district executive director Emily Cahill said both organizations plan to continue operations at their respective facilities.
"Our agreement is that we want to provide the same levels of service or enhance those through our partnership," Cahill said. "So yes, you'll see really good stuff coming, the level of energy and excitement, by bringing these two teams together."
As part of the agreement, members of the RiverPlex or YMCA will have full access to both facilities.
Andy Thornton, president and CEO of the Greater Peoria Family YMCA, said he believes the one-year collaboration is just the start.
"If we do our job right, you're going to see more," Thornton said. "You're going to see more for this community to benefit from this collaboration."
Come Jan. 1, OSF Saint Francis will relinquish responsibilities for day-to-day operations at the RiverPlex, but will remain as a tenant. The hospital will continue to utilize the RiverPlex for classes and rehabilitation services.
