Center City YMCA News

9/14/2009 11:50:00 AM

Center City YMCA Update

September 10, 2009 - The Capital District YMCA is pleased to announce that construction is now underway for a new Schenectady branch in the Center City complex directly across from Proctors in downtown Schenectady. YMCA officials joined community leaders today for a "hard hat tour" of the facility.

David Brown, President and CEO said, "The Capital District YMCA looks forward to improving upon its footprint of service in Schenectady County. We are confident that together we can successfully benefit the Schenectady area with the new facility in many ways. Today's announcement marks the beginning of a new era for the YMCA in Schenectady County."

Congressman Paul D. Tonko, who provided a $1 million grant for the new Schenectady YMCA while he was a member of the NYS Assembly said, "The YMCA is a place where people from all over the community can come together to take advantage of the many services that are available. By placing the new YMCA in the heart of downtown, we find a new use for an existing facility and place those services within reach of those who work and live nearby."

Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, "This is an exciting day for Schenectady. Our new YMCA at Center City will provide a great resource to families and children throughout Schenectady as it strengthens our revitalization efforts and makes Schenectady a more attractive place to live, work and play."

Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, "I am happy that the Schenectady YMCA has found a new home in this underutilized complex in Downtown Schenectady. This is a great reuse of an existing structure that will not only look better but will serve the needs of our community."

At 28,000 square feet, the new YMCA will offer a range of amenities and services including: a teen center, wellness center, full fitness center, steam room, sauna, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulation size gymnasium, aerobic studio, spinning room, children's corner and state of the art locker facilities.

The Capital District YMCA also announced plans to partner with Schenectady County Community College to have the college utilize the NCAA sized gymnasium for its home basketball and volleyball games. The Capital District YMCA also plans to partner with businesses, public officials and volunteers to conduct programming at the new facility designed to build on the renewal efforts already well underway in the downtown area.

Dr. Quintin Bullock, President of the Schenectady County Community College said, "It has been a privilege to work with the County and the YMCA to establish a home for Schenectady County Community College's Men's and Women's Basketball Teams. The YMCA leadership worked diligently with the College to adapt the YMCA facilities to accommodate NCAA regulations for college basketball. These collective efforts affirm a true partnership."

The new Schenectady YMCA will be located in the heart of the City of Schenectady at 433 State Street in the Center City complex, a 200,000 square foot office, retail and fitness facility being built by Develoment at Center City, LLC which is owned by the Galesi Group. Center City is easily accessible by CDTA bus service including the new bus rapid transit line that will link Albany and Schenectady. There is also ample free parking available in the surrounding area provided by Metroplex. The downtown location makes the YMCA convenient to the local workforce and neighborhoods. The facility will also provide much needed teen programs and services. The current YMCA facility at 13 State Street has served the area since 1926 and is no longer capable of serving the membership needs of the community.

The Capital District YMCA is fortunate to have longtime YMCA advocates and supporters who have provided personal funding to complete the $3.1 million project. Ben Jacobsen, a successful New York City businessman and Schenectady native, provided the funding for the gymnasium and new home for community college games.

Additional assistance from the project comes from Schenectady capital campaign chair Wallace Graham. Graham, a long time supporter of the YMCA said, "We have received a great amount of valuable support from the community, its officials and the residents and many businesses throughout the area. Without this support, we could have never made this project a reality."

The YMCA will continue to raise funds for the project and look to establish a daycare in the future to further provide services to the downtown community. The anticipated opening date for the Schenectady YMCA at Center City is January of 2010.

Anyone interested in contributing to the new facility may contact Jackie McDonough, Vice President of Financial Development for the Capital District YMCA at 518-869-3500, extension 9920.