The project is designed to provide health and wellness servicesto the region west of Indianapolis, said Hendricks president andCEO Dennis Dawes in a statement. "Our hospital's mission is toimprove the health of our region. Preventative care and healthylifestyles are important components to improving health andachieving a good quality of life," he said. Neither companiesreturn requests for comment.

The 60,000-square-foot YMCA will include an indoor aquaticscenter, wellness center, dance studio, gym, teen center, childwatch area, indoor climbing wall, outdoor fields, walking trailsand an outdoor education center. The hospital side will providerooms for physical and occupational therapies, cardiacrehabilitation, complete lab and x-ray services, private medicalpractice, sports medicine and other hospital outreach services.Eric Ellsworth, president and CEO of the YMCA, said in thestatement that the partnership will provide double assistance inhelping to combat obesity, pre-diabetes and other preventablechronic diseases. "(We) felt compelled to come together and helparea residents live healthier lives by providing a holisticapproach for better wellbeing," he said.

The partnership plans to raise $13.5 million to help build thecenter, with the hospital providing $5 million. Also providingfunds are the United Way of Central Indiana Capital Fund, DukeEnergy and the Skillman Corp. Construction could begin in early2009, with a projected opening date in late 2010.