The effort to build a YMCA in Prior
Lake got some help this week from
the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation.

Thrivent, a nonprofit group, announced a $125,000 grant Tuesday.
The money will go toward construction of a YMCA on the Shepherd’s Path campus
near county roads 42 and 21. The Minneapolis YMCA has been trying to raise $4
million in donations needed to break ground on the facility (another $5 million
would come from the YMCA itself to finish the building).

“The YMCA of Minneapolis has a proven record of strengthening communities
and helping people reach their full potential in spirit, mind and body,” said
Scott Wardell, a partner with Thrivent Financial’s Twin Cities Regional group.

The two-story YMCA would take about one year to build once
construction begins, said Yvonne Anderson, community development director for
the YMCA Minneapolis. Anderson said depending on how long it takes to raise the $4 million,
construction likely would begin in early 2008.

– Lori Carlson