How Greater Des Moines YMCA CEO Cameron Nicholson starts his day

Flashback: The YMCA has dealt with debt issues that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• In 2019, the Boone and Ankeny YMCA locations closed due to financial struggles. Last year, Barcus announced they were open to selling the south suburban and Wellmark YMCA locations.

State of play: The Y is in talks with a potential partner who wants to lease space from the downtown facility, as well as groups that have voiced interest in the south suburban location.

• Overall, after losing a third of its members during the pandemic, about 90% have returned, Nicholson says.

What's next: Nicholson plans on conducting "internal assessments" to make sure the Y's services are still meaningful to the community.

Here's how the new CEO starts his day:

⏰ Wake up: 5:30am. "I'm not a late-night person at all."

🍳 Breakfast: No food, just coffee with his morning meetings around town, including Smokey Row.

• If it's a Sunday morning though, "I gotta have grits."

📱 What he's reading: A Bible app which includes a morning devotional.

• "It really is a way … I just get mentally ready for the day."