Mission Statement :
The IMA Recreation Association a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization. The mission of the IMA Recreation Association is to provide recreational programs and opportunities for children and families throughout the Genesee County community. IMA programs support sports, recreation and education, while fostering good citizenship and team efforts.
The IMA began as the Flint Vehicle Factories Mutual Benefit Association (FVFMBA) in 1901 established by area manufacturing employers, with worker contributions to provide benefits in the event of sickness, injury or death. In 1915, Charles Stewart Mott appointed an industrial committee with Walter P. Chrysler as its chairman. The committee called itself the Industrial Fellowship League (IFL). Many recreational and educational activities were offered to the workers through the IFL.
In 1922 the Industrial Mutual Association of Flint was officially established when FVFMBA and the IFL merged. The IMA began to flourish building the IMA Auditorium (a 6,000 seat auditorium providing diversified activities) and Athletic Park (a 3,000 seat athletic field adjacent to the Auditorium). In 1963 the IMA purchased Brookwood Golf Course and in 1969 opened the Sports Arena on Lapeer Road. As years passed, the IMA sold the Auditorium to the Mott Foundation and donated the Sports Arena to the City of Flint.
Today with a new name and a renewed mission, the IMA Recreation Association is adding new chapters to its rich history as a diversified employee benefit association. As a self-supporting 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, IMA continues to operate IMA Brookwood Golf Club, its banquet and catering facilities and also manages Ballenger and Memorial Parks in Flint. The IMA is proud of its heritage and the support that generates dynamic programs and special events for our community.
IMA programs include The First Tee of Eastern Michigan at IMA Brookwood. The First Tee not only teaches juniors the basics of golf, it also provides educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promotes healthy choices through the game of golf. Additionally the IMA has partnered with YouthQuest (a program of the Flint & Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce) offering golf instruction to area school children. YouthQuest offers high quality exciting & engaging after school programming based on challenge, project and investigative activities. These programs help children develop values, social skills and a lifelong love of learning. The IMA is very proud to have been chosen as a service provider for the YouthQuest program.
Our new name, the IMA Recreation Association, was adopted in 2008 and has helped re-focus our efforts to bring recreational and educational opportunities to children and adults in the Genesee County community. The IMA continues to be a story of people caring about people. You can become a part of this continuing story in several ways. As a participant. As a volunteer. As a contributor. Or a combination of all three. We welcome you to help write the next chapter.
