West Suburban YMCA Enters Final Phase of The Legacy Campaign for Youth & Family
West Suburban YMCA Enters Final Phase of
The Legacy Campaign for Youth & Family
The West Suburban YMCA announced that it has entered the final phase of its 24-month, $3.5 million dollar fund raising program. The Legacy Campaign for Youth & Family, begun in 2006, represents the culmination of a twelve-year improvement plan to expand and enhance the YMCA's program and facility space for children and families.
The YMCA has been renovating and expanding its 276 Church Street location in Newton Corner since 1996 to meet the growing and changing needs of the community. After opening a new pool in 2003, a new gymnasium and fitness center were unveiled in 2004. The additional program space and more welcoming facilities helped the YMCA's membership to double in just three years.
Just last year, the results of the first phase of the Legacy Campaign were unveiled with the opening of the New Balance Track & Field. The new all-weather artificial turf playing field and synthetic track has become a valued resource not only for the YMCA, but for the community as well with many soccer, track, lacrosse and softball teams and schools using the facilities.
Just two unfulfilled projects remain to complete the West Suburban YMCA's improvement plans: the complete renovation of the basement of the 97 year-old 276 Church Street building, and replacement of the 50-year-old infirmary at Camp Frank A. Day.
Renovations of the basement at 276 Church Street will double the space and number of children served by the YMCA's youth programming. A centerpiece of the renovations is an expanded Youth Community Center with new music clubhouse, computer/technology/homework room and recreation area. The YMCA also plans to build new men's and boys' locker rooms, family changing areas and a multipurpose space for yoga, Pilates and much more during the basement renovation.
The infirmary at Camp Frank A. Day, the Y's 52-acre residential camp in East Brookfield, MA, has served children and staff for five decades. Years of heavy usage and year-round exposure to the New England elements have taken its toll. The YMCA plans to tear down the infirmary to build a new Health & Wellness Center. This Center will unite camp health-care staff, campers, parents and camp counselors in a holistic approach to health services. The goal is to move the camp health program from a support service to an integral part of the camp's programming by creating a facility that can combine health care, education, wellness and learning while updating the nurses' areas.
"I am thrilled to see the last pieces of this campaign falling into place," said Mark Mancuso, Campaign Chair for The Legacy Campaign for Youth & Family. "The West Suburban YMCA has already transformed itself over the past decade. Just stop by the Y on a Saturday or after school to see hundreds of children playing in our gym, pools, auditorium, youth fitness center and on the New Balance Track & Field. It can only get better from here."
The Legacy Campaign has received over $2.5 million towards its minimum $3.5 million target and is close to qualifying for a $500,000 challenge grant. The YMCA's goal is to reach the $3 million mark by July 1, 2008 and qualify for the $500,000 anonymous grant from a generous Newton family.
Those interested in supporting the West Suburban YMCA's The Legacy Campaign for Youth & Family should contact Duffy Brent, Vice President of Development & Communications at 617-244-6050 ext. 3097.