Janice Phillips Larrick talks about her experiences at the YMCA through the years during a Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the Butler YMCA on Friday.

The newly renovated first floor of the Butler County Family YMCA accommodated about 150 people Friday at an open house to celebrate that upgrade.

YMCA members and officials, local officials, project donors, downtown business representatives and others filled the bright new lobby, which was the major portion of the $700,000, 10,000-square-foot renovation at the facility on South Washington Street.

Those closest to the project spoke just before a large red ribbon was cut to officially open the first floor.

Perhaps the most eloquent speaker was Sandra Ihlenfeld, the YMCA's vice president of organizational advancement, who paid tribute to major project donors Joe and Eleanor (Phillips) Dickey.

The Dickeys surprised Eleanor's mother, Janice Phillips Larrick, by making their donation in honor of the 92-year-old and her late husband and Eleanor's father, Victor K. Phillips.

“Eleanor told me (of her parents) 'They taught us how to love and give and serve others,'” said an emotional Ihlenfeld as she unveiled a plaque in their honor. “This plaque will help us to remember this day.”