Latest news with #GinaLeichty
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
City partners with Goshen Schools to offer swimming this summer
GOSHEN — Public swimming will be available at Goshen Community Schools' indoor pool this summer while the Shanklin Park pool remains closed. From now through Aug. 1, residents can attend open swim and Red Cross-certified swim lessons at the Goshen Community Schools Aquatic Center, 1216 S. Indiana Ave. The indoor pool will serve as the city's main swim site after the closure of Shanklin Pool. 'Our city and schools always step up when the community needs us,' Mayor Gina Leichty said in the announcement from the city. 'While we don't yet know the fate of Shanklin Pool, we remain committed to working together in the best interest of our residents. Especially our kids.' The city paused the $12 million pool rehab project earlier this year thanks to uncertainty over the impact of funding cuts included in Indiana's new two-year budget and in Senate Bill 1. Goshen had completed design work and secured local support, but elected officials chose to delay construction until they better understood how the legislation will affect city finances. In the meantime, the Parks Department prioritized swim access for youth and families through the partnership with GCS, according to information from the city. Open swim runs Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Aquatic Center will not be available for open swim on June 7, June 19-20 and June 30 and on July 1-6, July 11-12 and July 18-26. Certified instructors will lead swim lessons Monday through Friday from 3:15 to 6 p.m. Sessions cost $55 and follow American Red Cross standards. Classes are available for beginners ages 5 and older, and for parents with children ages 1 to 5. Residents can register online at The site also allows daily pass purchases and waiver submission for youth ages 14 to 17 to attend without an adult, though a fee applies to all credit card purchases. Daily admission is $5 and children age 2 and under swim free. The city will not offer season passes in 2025. For more information, call Goshen Parks and Recreation at 574-534-2901. In addition to indoor swim options, the City of Goshen offers three free splash pads open daily through the summer. All three operate every day from noon to 8 p.m., May 25 through Aug. 25, weather permitting. Walnut Park Splash Pad is located on the city's north side at East Oakridge Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets, Pringle Park Splash Pad is on West Lincoln Avenue between Greene Road and Indiana Avenue and Rieth Park Splash Pad is on 13th Street between Iowa and Illinois streets on the south side. City leaders around three years ago started looking at replacing Shanklin Pool, which was originally built in 1969. They settled on an overhaul plan that includes replacing the aging pool and support buildings that are beyond their functional lifespan with a modern facility. The design includes a beach entry, water slides, toddler bay, basketball goal, shaded lounging areas and cabanas. Construction was set to begin this year, but city council followed Leichty's recommendation in March and voted to pause the $14 million bond process and shift focus to fundraising and grant-writing.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EDITORIAL: Fire Academy shaping tomorrow's heroes
If you're looking for a heartwarming local story, the RedHawk Fire Academy is the place to start. Goshen Mayor Gina Leichty recently celebrated this innovative program during her State of the City address, praising its dedication to training tomorrow's firefighters and first responders. Since opening in 2024, the academy has generated tremendous interest. Those who complete the full program earn an associate's degree from Ivy Tech Community College and step right into careers with the Goshen Fire Department. For many high school juniors and seniors who aren't planning on a traditional college route, this hands-on training offers a direct path to a rewarding, well-paying career. Moreover, the program builds a strong local talent pipeline for the future leadership of the fire department. Partnered with Goshen Community Schools, the academy immerses students in practical training that goes far beyond classroom lectures. They learn essential skills, from safely operating chainsaws and navigating ladder work to handling firehoses under high-pressure conditions. Students even gain insights into modern firefighting tactics that enhance safety and efficiency on the front lines. They learn the skills that modern firefighters rely on to combat emergencies with precision and speed — innovations that are reshaping the future of the fire service. One participant summed it up perfectly: 'This kind of hands-on learning is better than learning from a computer. It's so helpful to see exactly what this work looks like.' ADDING ANOTHER LAYER of inspiration, the academy is housed in the historic Chandler School building. Once known as Madison Street Elementary, the original structure burned down and was rebuilt by a determined community that, in 1948, renamed the school in honor of Emma Chandler. Now, at this very site where tragedy once struck, Goshen students are learning firsthand what it means to be a hero. The training goes beyond technical skills — it instills the very values of service and commitment found in the Firefighter's Pledge, which calls for concern for others, unwavering courage, and a heart strong enough to carry any burden. Even if every student does not choose a career as a firefighter or EMT, they gain invaluable lessons in teamwork, resilience and service that will serve them well throughout life. Division Chief of Instruction Travis Peak leads the program with enthusiasm, noting, 'Even if they don't decide to pursue the training as a career, they'll gain a lot of positive experiences from this program.' The RedHawk Fire Academy is more than a training center — it's a community initiative that empowers youth, nurtures local pride, and demonstrates that true heroism begins with service. Interested in learning more about how modern firefighting technology and techniques are reshaping emergency response? Stay tuned for more insights into this forward-thinking program and the future heroes emerging from Goshen.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Baby Box unveiled in Goshen
GOSHEN — Women who are forced by state law to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term can safely surrender the infant in Goshen. The organization Safe Haven Baby Box installed a secure, climate-controlled box in a supplies garage behind the Goshen Fire Department's central station downtown. The location was chosen because there are no security cameras, allowing women to surrender their child anonymously. 'Once the door is closed, there's a weight sensor so there would be a call that goes to dispatch,' Mayor Gina Leichty explained Friday during the unveiling of the box. 'But there's also a notification that goes to the administrators of this fire station, so they know immediately that a child has been placed in the box. And it's also locked from the outside.' The organization 100 Women Who Care chose Safe Haven Baby Box to receive a $10,000 grant to install the device. Ongoing maintenance will be covered by a fund at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. 'They came to us with the idea and we felt like it was certainly something that was welcomed by our fire department and the community. Certainly something that's a need, to provide just one more option for people,' Leichty said. 'While we hope that people are never faced with this kind of crisis, we hope that people know that there is this option available as an option of last resort. There's a safe way.' Under Indiana's Safe Haven Law, a person is allowed to surrender a newborn to an emergency medical services provider within 30 days of birth without being subject to prosecution for neglect or abandonment. No information is required from the person leaving the baby as long as there are no signs of abuse. After an infant is examined and given medical treatment if needed, the Indiana Department of Child Services takes it into custody through Child Protective Services or a licensed agency and the infant is placed with a caregiver. The Goshen location marks the 145th Baby Box in Indiana and the 321st in the nation. Monica Kelsey, CEO of Safe Haven Baby Box, started the organization in 2016 based on her own experience of being abandoned at an Ohio hospital shortly after birth in the 1970s. 'In my opinion, we would rather have a box and not need it than need a box and not have it. If a community doesn't have a Baby Box and there's a mother who can't go very far, what's going to happen?' Kelsey said. 'We see that all over America, every three to four days in America, a baby is dumped. ... That's not happening in Indiana anymore.'
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Goshen council proceeds cautiously with pool, fire station
GOSHEN — Goshen City Council members took on various topics at Monday evening's meeting including the Shanklin Pool renovations and the annexation for a new South Fire Station. A resolution regarding the financing of the Shanklin Pool Project was presented to the council members. The conversation revolved around the amount of changes regarding funding statewide and federally and the effects it has on local projects, such as this one. Mayor Gina Leichty touched on the financial changes that go beyond the city, as state legislation affect funds and grants that continue to evolve and as well as federal funding. 'As you know there has been considerable amount of discussion around this resolution as our finances are still unknown based on some of the decision making that is happening at the state Legislature,' she said. 'The decisions that will impact the city's finances potentially significantly in the coming year, as well as some federal conversations that have happened.' According to the mayor, there has been conversation about pausing the resolution, but there is additional time if the council chooses to pass the resolution that could offer more opportunities to evaluate the finances. The conversation about finances for the city and this project would be based off of what the city hears from the state Legislature and the federal government. Mayor Leichty continued to share her thoughts saying that the project being put on pause would allow the city to evaluate the finances as they receive more information on funding without adversely impacting the city as the year goes on. She recognizes the disappointment this may cause to not only those involved in the project who put time into the project but also the community that deeply values the pool. 'Losing this resource would have a significant impact. Being closed this summer, but potentially longer, will certainly impact quality of life but on health and wellbeing of kids in our community,' she said. 'So many kids take advantage of being outdoors and of taking swim lessons. We have hundreds of kids that take swim lessons each year.' The department is exploring alternatives if the pool is closed for a longer period of time such as partnerships with schools and other sources. Councilor Megan Peel had asked the department heads if the pool in its current state could be used this summer and she was informed that it would not be open for use due to mechanical issues and other safety concerns. Councilor Doug Nisley mentioned his interest in approving the resolution and process and continuing up to the issue of the bond and at that point making a decision to stop or move forward in the process of issuing a bond. Redevelopment Director Becky Hutsell said that the process can continue and if the project is paused, none of the steps in the process would have to be repeated; they would just continue where the process left off. Jason Semler, a consultant from the municipal advisory firm of Baker Tilly, explained that the point of no return in the bond process would be once bonds are given. Parks Superintendent Tanya Heyde, Hutsell and others who have invested time into the Shanklin Pool project were not expecting these changes and nor the discussion of pausing the project. 'We are in a heartbreaking situation,'Heyde said. 'We never anticipated to be in this spot. We have moved forward with best efforts and talked with the council on several occasions. We have done all of the proper steps but this is just unexpected. 'As staff, we have talked and if it does have to be closed down for a year, does that allow opportunities for fundraising, is there an opportunity to go back to the Community Foundation with how much has changed. We were not successful with our first application, but the world is different now.' The council has until May to approve or deny before the bonds are sold. There will be more meetings, and until then, Semler told them to discuss it further. The resolution was approved but the council and all those involved are moving forward with caution as they continue to receive more information. FIRE STATION Another project that has been an ongoing discussion is the annexation for a new South Fire Station. Mayor Leichty did inform the council that this project is one that will continue to be evaluated as the city waits to hear more from the state. Fire Chief Anthony Powell spoke on the subject and is aware that since this project was proposed in 2021, the climate has changed. 'Our call volume has increased dramatically and the staffing we were originally going to set for that station, is not going to be adequate in my opinion,' he said. 'We asked for 15 personnel for this station and then we agreed upon nine. Our call value from 2002-2015 went up from 1,300 calls. From 2016-2020 it went up 1,200 and in the last four years we went up another 900 calls.' He anticipates that this year alone, the call volume is on track to hit 6,000 if the calls continue to increase the way it has been within the last two months. With call volumes increasing, he thinks moving forward with the project would cause the new station to be understaffed and be a burden for personnel. Chief Powell also mentioned that staffing under the National Fire Protection Association says that each shift should consist of 26-28 members per shift but they are currently at 20 when fully staffed and that plays a part in the decision making of the station. 'There are a lot of factors that went into play in making this decision,' he said. 'Do we want a new fire station? Yes. However, moving forward I think we have some time. Cherry Creek is not built up yet, we can service that area. 'And if we have to, the Elkhart Township Fire Station is out there and we could do some remodel that would get us by for 10 to 15 years down the road.' The resolution was passed by council. For both projects, the departments and the city will continue to proceed with caution while they wait for information on grants and funding from the state and federally.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Goshen to host open house on free utility service line replacement, northside infrastructure upgrades
GOSHEN — The city of Goshen invites residents to learn more about a free water service line replacement program and upcoming infrastructure improvements in Northside neighborhoods at an informational open house this coming Tuesday. The event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at Chamberlain Elementary School, 428 N. Fifth St. Attendees can drop in at their convenience to ask questions and speak with Goshen's engineering and water experts. The project, funded through a combination of state grants and low-interest loans, will replace up to 458 galvanized water service lines and lead goosenecks in select neighborhoods, including Dickerson Landing, Northside, Riverside, Wilden Avenue, and Clinton-Berkey — at no cost to homeowners. WHY? In fall 2024, the EPA updated its Lead and Copper Rule, requiring water systems nationwide to replace lead service lines. While Goshen has not found lead service lines, some older galvanized steel lines are connected to short lead goosenecks, which can accumulate lead particles over time. Though regular testing has never shown lead contamination above federal standards, the city is proactively working to eliminate any potential risk. By replacing outdated service lines, the project will ensure cleaner, safer water, improve water flow and pressure, and enhance Goshen's aging infrastructure. 'This is an important investment in our community's water system,' said Jamey Bontrager-Singer, Utilities city engineer. 'We encourage all affected homeowners to attend, ask questions, and take advantage of this free upgrade.' NORTHSIDE UPGRADES In addition to replacing service lines, the Northside neighborhood will receive significant infrastructure upgrades, including new sidewalks, road repairs, and utility enhancements. 'We're not just replacing pipes — we're investing in the long-term sustainability of our neighborhoods,' said Mayor Gina Leichty. 'This project modernizes our infrastructure while improving quality of life for residents.' NEXT STEPS Homeowners in these neighborhoods must sign a property owner agreement to authorize the service line replacement. Tuesday's open house will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more and complete the necessary paperwork. For more information, contact: Jamey Bontrager-Singer at jameybsinger@ or 574-537-3830.
