Wenatchee Valley YMCAs decision to sell Lake Wenatchee property strikes chord in community

The Wenatchee Valley YMCA plans to sell the Lake Wenatchee Camp after nearly 100 years of operation, facing over $2 million in financial losses. President Dorry Foster noted that efforts to secure grants and improve facilities fell short of meeting safety codes while remaining financially viable. The decision has sparked community outrage, with former campers and staff questioning the lack of public involvement and transparency. An anonymous donor's $3 million pledge, contingent on the camp's sale, played a critical role in the YMCA's decision-making process. Wenatchee Valley YMCA Board Trustee Rufus Woods acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision, calling it "inevitable.

" The camp will be marketed post-2025 summer season, with the first $3 million of the sale directed to an outdoor recreation endowment. Community members, including former staff, have formed a Facebook group to advocate for the camp's preservation. The situation highlights the struggle between financial sustainability and community values in nonprofit management.