State taxpayers could foot the bill for Owosso’s $10 million exercise and child care amenities

The YMCA in Owosso, a city with approximately 15,000 residents, could get nearly $10 million from state taxpayers, thanks to an earmark requested by a member of the Michigan House.

Rep. Brian Begole, R-Antrim Township, requested $9.78 million in the 2026 budget for the Shiawassee Family YMCA. The YMCA is planning a full-facility renovation, according to his request.

The renovation will be done in two phases, according to official documents. There will be space for a gymnasium, four licensed child care rooms, a fitness center, a dojo area for martial arts, a lobby/reception area and offices.

The YMCA already has $1.95 million for phase one but it needs an additional $550,000, according to the document. Equipment costs were not included in the figure, and the total cost for this portion of the project is $3,789,800.

Phase two, which will include expansions, will cost approximately $6 million. The request reads in part:

“This expansion will double our gym space and add 4,000 square feet of community space which can be utilized by groups, families, teams or organizations as casual event space, meeting space, or, as is desperately needed with our teenage members of the community, as a ’hang out’ space.”

Begole did not respond to a request for comment.

The State Alliance of YMCAs was allocated two grants in 2024 for a total of $4.7 million.

The Shiawassee YMCA received $42,000 in grants from those allocations, according to Fran Talsma, chief partnership officer at the state alliance.

The legislative spending request is one of hundreds posted online by the state House. A new requirement that legislators’ requests for district earmarks be published online is a transparency effort mandated by Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township.

Michigan Capitol Confidential reports annually on earmarks requested by legislators to inform readers about the state budget. Its reports are not intended to reflect on the quality of the organizations that receive the money.