(MyBayCity Photos By Julie McCallum) UNDERWAY!
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It was a family affair, appropriate to the name of the organization.
The Dow Bay Area Family YMCA broke ground for construction on its new facility Wednesday morning as kids, older folks, women, men,--everybody got in on the groundbreaking action.
The new $13 million facility will be located on Washington Avenue between Tenth and Eleventh streets, just south of the City Hall.
Eric Jylha, WNEM-TV newscaster and weather reporter, was master of ceremonies while presiding were Chuck Brooks, executive director, and Konnie Licavoli, president of the board of directors.
(Photo Right) Bay Area Family Y Executive Director and CEO Charles Brooks
The building will be 92,000 square feet and will include a large swimming pool, three multi-purpose fitness rooms, a child care center, two basketball courts, paddle-ball and racquetball courts and a track for walking and jogging.
Fundraising is continuing as the project lacks $2 million to reach its goal of $15 million, but officials expressed confidence the necessary funds will be raised.
The new Y building, expected to be completed in the summer of 2011, will offer expanded programs and services for the community, concentrating on youth and families.
Officials said the new Family Y will employ nine persons full time and 27 part-time.
Several dozen protesters from the building trades unions turned out to protest, with leaders asserting not enough local union workers are being used on the construction by Pumford Brothers Construction, of Saginaw.
The protesters, led by William Borch, said the Y has overstated the number of local workers employed on the construction project.
About six weeks ago the project was at a standstill. Since then it has been scaled back from 118,000 square feet and plans for a competitive pool delayed. Joy Buchanan, a retired communication consultant for Dow Chemical Co., is the official spokesperson for the project. Dow has contributed $4 million to the project, thus earning naming rights and placement of the company's logo on the new building.
The project has sparked memories of former Y members who recall their boyhood days at the old building on Washington and McKinley (now the site of the Chemical Bank drive-in). One of the most inspirational stories is that of John Calvin, 74, of Watertown, South Dakota, former Bay City, the longest member in terms of years, who, along with Warren Loranger, 85, of Waterford, former owner of Pella Window and Door, have given $350,000 to the project. Calvin has kept his membership in place since 1941.
For more information on donating to the project, call Brooks at 895-8596 or visit the Web site, www.ymcabaycity.org. ###
(Above) Konnie Licavoli, Bay Area Family Y, President
Construction site Washington Ave, Downtown Bay City
(MyBayCity Photos By Julie McCallum)
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