Artist's conception of main (North) entrance of planned new Bay Area Family Y shows expanses of glass and boxy design. Groundbreaking Planned in Spring for $15.5 Million Bay Area Family Y
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Fundraising for a glitsy new Dow Bay Area Family Y is coming soon to a neighborhood near you.
Charles M. Brooks, CEO of the Y, said in an interview with Bay3TV's Rene Holcomb recently that the $10 million donation mark has been achieved.
So far donors mainly have been from corporate and foundation sources, with some from groups of stakeholders like employees and former youth Y members.
Now the campaign will reach out to the general public as the 123-year-old rock of the community stresses the economic development, community resource building and educational benefits of the new facility.
"This new Y will have programs to build the community for the future and we need to get the entire community involved," said Mr. Brooks.
The new Y hopefully will provide a catalyst for development of the city's visionary Uptown at RiversEdge project on 48 acres of riverfront that once was the Industrial Works complex.
Already, a medical center is planned across the street from the new Y site. Dr. Samuel Shaheen of Saginaw has announced that construction will start in the spring on a $2 million physicians' office building.
"Community leaders are investing in this project to attract development and show what can happen at the Uptown site," said Mr. Brooks.
The Dow Chemical Company is the largest donor so far, with a $4 million gift bringing naming rights.
Konnie Licavoli, Y board chair, noted that Andrew Liveris, Dow president, in announcing the major gift, said it is in the interest of the firm to have amenities in the area in order to attract quality employees. The Y is one of the main attractions for prospective residents, she said.
Groundbreaking on the urban renewal site of the former Labadie Olds property on Washington Avenue is planned in the spring, said Mr. Brooks.
With construction estimated to take 15-18 months, an opening at the end of 2010 is anticipated, he added.
The new building will be state-of-the art with an eight lane 25 yard competition pool, three glass walled raquetball courts and a special squash court, double gymnasium, cardio room, aerobics room, day care areas, infant and toddler area, cafe, a teen after school area, studio cycling, weight training and a walking-jogging track.
Meanwhile, Y maintenance personnel are putting bandages on leaking pipes, the pool boiler and other decaying facilities in the 55 year old existing building at Madison and Columbus.
The Bay3TV report that toured the old facility with a camera showed supporters and potential donors exactly why a new building is needed. For example, some pipes that have gone bad are inaccessible, making repairs impossible. Interior structural deterioration is occurring because of leaking behind walls.
"We cannot stay in that building since it cannot sustain itself much longer," said Konnie Licavoli, Y board chair. "Plus, it is important to have amenities like the new Y will provide to bring people into the community." Ms. Licavoli indicated in the interview that she is in charge of physician recruitment for Bay Regional Medical Center, a very competitive process with other communities.
"This is not a dream anymore -- it's reality," said Ms. Holcomb.
While the Family Y is just that, for the entire family, an important facet is programs for children, said Mr. Brooks. He noted that at present the Y serves about 200 children a day including 144 four year olds in a school readiness program.
In the public part of the campaign, slated to start soon, the Y will stress a variety of ways of giving. Gifts may be in a lump sum or spread over five years, "whatever people can find it in their hearts to give," said Mr. Brooks.
Cash, credit cards, appreciated stock, in-kind contributions, all are welcome, he said. The Y already has received a gift of property that will be sold to benefit the drive.
Officials are going ahead with the project even though all the funds have not yet been raised, said Mr. Brooks, with the option of scaling back on some elements if fundraising doesn't meet expectations.
"This new building will make a big difference in the lives of people in Bay County in the future," Mr. Brooks said.
The Y has a website that may be accessed by information seekers and prospective donors. It is www.ymcabaycity.org
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