Renovated YMCA plans open house

November 28, 2017 Last Updated: November 29, 2017 04:17 PM Local News

Ann Lee does curls during a Silver Sneakers class in the new exercise room at YMCA.

The Butler YMCA will showcase the recently completed, 10,000-square-foot ground-floor renovation project Friday.

Connie Downs, YMCA spokesman, said on Monday that the goal of the project was to create an open, hospitable space for the community that the YMCA has served for nearly 160 years.

“It allows for a more welcoming and open community space,” Downs said.

She explained that the renovation, which cost about $700,000, moved the YMCA's offices to the south of the their previous location, at the front of the building across from the Emily Brittain School on North Washington Street.

The former office space and much of the first floor was gutted and new wiring, plumbing, communication cable, walls, ceiling and floors were installed.

About a dozen tables and coffee and vending machines grace the large, new lobby inside the south entrance, which is bathed in natural light from the windows along North Washington Street.

John Gibson, a member of the YMCA's board of trustees and board of directors, said the windows were often covered by shades when the offices were located there. Now, motorists or pedestrians on the street can see inside the bright, inviting lobby.

“Before, when you'd look in from North Washington Street, you couldn't see anything,” Gibson said. “We've made it so much brighter now, more inviting.”

He added that costs were held to $700,000 because much of the work was completed in-house.

An anonymous donor who pledged $50,000 toward the renovation also helped make the project more financially palatable.

Sandra Ihlenfeld, the Butler YMCA's vice president of organizational advancement, said the recent donation — the second significant gift toward the project — will help with the organization's capital funds balance.

“This second generous donation will help us to keep our designated capital funds for future projects and renovations,” Ihlenfeld said. “We are truly thankful for all of our donors.”

The former Youth Center at the far end of the lobby was renovated and made into a large room for exercise programs or community activities.

On Monday morning the Y's Active Older Adult program saw senior citizens working out with the help of a trainer.

Downs said all senior classes were moved from the third floor to the ground floor.

“If you have trouble moving, this is an easier space to get to,” said Downs.

The Youth Center was moved into a more intimate, new room behind one of two security doors that Downs said were included in the project to enhance security at the building. The space is where the former member check-in desk was, and everyone now must be buzzed in.

Members now check in at the large, renovated desk off the south parking lot.

The former trustees room was moved to renovated quarters overlooking the swimming pool, Downs said.The room's larger size allows board meetings to be held there.Jaime Cypher, youth development director at the Y, said the upgrade to the Youth Center will allow for new technology and the smaller space makes it easier to keep an eye on the children.The new Youth Center opened on Nov. 24.“It's more guided toward youth now, which is the area we want it to be,” Cypher said.On Monday, cyber school student Stainton Forbes, 9, played cards and Ping-Pong while his dad worked out.“I like that it's not as big,” Stainton said. “You don't have to run around as much. You can just chill.”Downs and Gibson said the open house on Friday will include refreshments, tours, visits by city officials, all-day events and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.“It's a celebration of our commitment to the community,” Downs said.Gibson said he is excited to showcase the new renovation, which was completed with Butler's citizens in mind.“We want to show the public that we're here and what we have to offer,” he said.The last renovation project was in 1999, when a new fitness center was built.