Leaving for another Y
Pat Estes has worked at the Valley YMCA since it was just a borrowed office in a grocery store 14 years ago. Now he’s leaving his position as associate branch executive to become the CEO of the YMCA in Bozeman.
But there’s a catch. When he starts work on Monday, Estes will have only an empty field and a rented office to call home. There is no staff to lead. Right now the Bozeman YMCA exists only the minds of volunteers who have been running a few youth programs.
“I will go in and grow those programs and be able to build a staff around them,” Estes said. “It’s something I’m really excited about. To go in and build a Y from the ground up is just an incredible opportunity. I’m nervous, too. It’s a big task but I’m up for it.”
Estes has had a hand in many popular Valley YMCA programs. Eight years ago Valley Hoops was an annual event held at the University City Mall. The organizers announced that it would no longer be held, so Estes stepped in. The event, now called Hooops, is held every year at the Valley Mall.
Seven years ago Estes was involved in the Y’s flag football league. He heard parents talking about their desire for a tackle football program. Again Estes and the Valley Y stepped in and the Grid Kids tackle football program for fifth- and sixth-graders was born. “We’ve grown steadily every year by two teams,” Estes said. “This year we have 19 teams of 22. We have over 550 kids today playing football thanks to a handful of volunteers who made this possible.”
He also helped get the Y’s skate park built after years of dreams and effort. “That started years ago with a vision from the youth,” he said. The youth had asked the Y to donate land for the project, which they agreed to. When fund-raising efforts stalled, the Y stepped in. The first phase of the skate park opened this summer. “We just wanted to see that through,” he said.
Estes declines to take complete credit for any of the programs he has organized. He often points to the efforts of his co-workers, boss and volunteers as the true reason things got off the ground. “I’m only part of the team out there at the Valley YMCA.”
Valley Y director Steve Jurich is sorry to see Estes go, but also happy about the opportunity Estes now has. “My sadness is tempered by a whole lot of excitement for him,” Jurich said.
Jurich expects Estes to be in contact, probably requesting copies of policy documents. “He’s got to establish policies and practices,” Jurich said. “I told him he can’t call me more than twice a day for stuff.”
Estes will also return to the area regularly since his wife and children are remaining behind until the school year is over. The drive is only six hours, Estes said. “It’s an easy drive. There are no stop lights between here and there.”
Yes, but there is a speed limit.