July 2, 2009
Greenwich Family YMCA
PROVIDES UPDATE ON YMCA FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Seeks Additional Funding
to Complete Expansion
The Board of Directors and senior management of the Greenwich Family YMCA have made the decision to pause the current expansion of the facility located at 50 East Putnam Avenue as it seeks to raise an additional $6.0 million needed to complete the construction.
Approximately nine years ago the Board of the YMCA and the Town of Greenwich embarked on a monumental effort to completely renovate and reposition the existing facilities and programs at the YMCA. Today, the expansion plan has already brought us a Best- in-Class 50 meter Olympic size pool and diving facility, underground parking, a renovated gymnasium, a new wellness center with 70 new pieces of state of the art strength and cardio equipment, and additional studios for spin, aerobics and yoga classes. In addition our programs have been expanded to include Zumba, Senior Stretch, Boot Camp, Core and More training, Stay Fit and Abs and Back classes all of which have been designed to address the needs of our ever expanding membership.
When completed the project will include an elevator, making the building physically accessible for the first time since it opened in 1916, a warm water pool for an arthritis foundation curriculum and new learn to swim programs, three additional childcare rooms to service a 60 student preschool, 80 additional parking spaces desperately needed across the entire membership, dedicated meeting and fitness space for a new teen curriculum, and additional meeting space for programs such as the Retired Men’s Association.
“Together the Board of Directors at the YMCA and I have spent the last eight months since I was appointed CEO seeking additional capital, cutting costs and trying hard to bring closure to this project. We remain fully committed to completing this project just as expeditiously as possible. Unfortunately, the obstacles have been many and today we sadly are officially pausing the project”, stated Ms. Fretty Rebecca, CEO Greenwich, YMCA.
“The Board and I did not want to jeopardize the existing operations which are currently healthy and we believe this is a prudent course of action at this point in time. The YMCA is located in the heart of Greenwich and has the opportunity to be the premiere facility that truly serves children, families and business throughout the community, but it needs additional financial support to complete the project.”
“We had raised $30.0 million of the $41.0 million project before I took office. Several Board members and additional patrons have given over $5.0 million since I have come on board cutting the gap practically in half. However, the economic implosion has made it difficult to raise the final $6.0 million. I have been overwhelmed with the support of the current and past board members of this institution. They have personally donated 60% of the private dollars raised for this project, but we will need the greater Greenwich community support as well to bring this to completion.”
The Greenwich Family YMCA annual campaign is underway for 2009. The YMCA is truly urging all that are part of the Greenwich community to take this opportunity to support the organization’s mission to enrich the body, mind and spirit of everyone in the community and allow for the incredible untapped potential of the facility to become a reality. The construction will resume once a minimum of $3.0 million in pledges are received.
“The YMCA continues to play an increasingly important role in the Greenwich Community for all ages. Although the process of applying for and securing federal stimulus funds is indeed very lengthy, I will continue my efforts to bring about a favorable decision at the state level regarding funding for the YMCA’s construction projects,” stated Connecticut State Senator, Scott Frantz.
The Greenwich YMCA’s historic preservation project has already received initial funding for the first phase of exterior repair from the State as evidenced by the scaffolding on the front of the building. However, this is funded separately from the work being led by Worth Construction.
“The Worth Construction Company has been incredibly supportive continuing to work as pledges have been more difficult to secure over last several months. Worth, Pecora Brothers and our architects, Perkins Eastman have worked with us up to the last minute when we made the decision to pause the project at this time,” commented Ms. Fretty.
In parallel to completing construction, the leadership at the YMCA is aggressively expanding its adult wellness program for aging baby boomers with local physical therapists and orthopedic doctors in town. The focus of the programs are to evaluate how to prevent typical shoulder, back and knee injuries from weekend golf, skiing, tennis activities and potentially delay joint replacements. These wellness programs leverage the latest science and medical research available. The program is under the leadership of Dr. Wear Culvahouse. Dr. Culvahouse is the Greenwich Family YMCA’s newly appointed Vice President of Wellness.
“I am also working with Greenwich Family YMCA staff and the Greenwich Hospital on additional programs tailored to women including prenatal classes and wellness issues such as osteoporosis and bone density issues that can be prevented or minimized with the latest hydra therapy curriculum. We truly look forward to the completion the facility and the new warm water therapy pool,” concluded Dr. Culverhouse.
“The Greenwich Family YMCA provides an incredibly vital role to our community. We are eager to see the construction complete so we can launch our collaboration in the snack bar the Y will have on the first floor. We are working on a training program where the people we support at Abilis will learn how to use coffee baristas and sell prepackaged snacks to Greenwich Family Y members. Once they have been trained for several months at the Y, they will be a position to apply for general workplace positions at the likes of a Starbucks and Arcadia Coffee,” said Lolli Ross, Abilis.
“Our whole family practically lives at the Greenwich Family Y, said Katie Dixon, a ten-year YMCA member. “I’m sad the construction will have to pause, but my children will still have a great time at child care and swimming and my spin class keeps me going. That, along with my friends at the Y that continue to encourage me to participate in events like Swim Across America. I can’t imagine our town without the Greenwich Family YMCA.”
For more information contact:
Stephen Auger
Director of Development & Communications
203-869-1630 ext 506 sauger@gwymca.org
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New Year, New Body, Mind and Spirit
At 5:15am Monday, January 5th, Greenwich Family YMCA unveiled its brand new Wellness Center with all new strength training equipment and cardio machines. Over a dozen longstanding and dedicated members christened the room at the ribbon cutting early this morning.
Greenwich Resident Alex Dixon and his family have been members of the Y for 12 years. Alex works out just about every day at dawn. “This is great. We made it through the demolition and the dungeon during the construction and now our patience is paying off. The equipment is great, too.”
Every piece of equipment was personally selected by Senior Personal Trainer, John Devlin, an eight year trainer at the Greenwich Family YMCA and local resident. John first visited the Greenwich Family YMCA when he was 6 years old to meet Santa. After so many years working with current members and training the Greenwich community at large for years prior to heading up fitness at Greenwich YMCA, John has a keen sense for the type of equipment our town is looking for. The AMT, Step Mill and Precor Elliptical cardio machines are the most innovative on the market and the new treadmills are all state of the art, with digital HDTVs on all 40 cardio machines. Mr. Devlin has a particular focus on training programs for teens to supplement their sport training and Senior Adult programs specializing in weight management, joint replacement strength training and also arthritis programs to rebuild bone density.
The Greenwich Family YMCA personal training staff is growing to support the new wellness center. In addition to John Devlin and Craig Burry, the evening trainer that loves to focus on core training, Karen Pyne has joined the team. Karen is a long time member of the Greenwich Family Y and AAFA certified personal trainer. She and Craig will help John personalize programs for all members looking for a program tailored to their own goals. “The beauty of the Greenwich Family Y is the diverse wellness program each member can have designed for them. They can swim in the Olympic pool, incorporate cardio machines and a unique strength circuit, free weights as well as yoga, aerobics, zumba or spinning class,” explained John Devlin. “You could have a different exercise experience each day of the week, which helps keep you interested in your wellness program instead of getting board with the same old piece of equipment every time you work out.” In addition to three certified Personal Trainers, John is working with Germaine Scott and Nick Balone as fitness managers in training along with Richard Germaine our fitness assistant helping members learn to use all the new equipment.
“What makes the Greenwich Family Y such a special place to build our body, mind and spirit is the people. Our membership is so diverse from infants to the retired men’s association that meets here weekly. We are proud to have more local teachers, hospital staff, and wildly successful entrepreneurs than any other single organization in town working out side by side. I am also personally very proud of our staff. They all take such pride in personalizing the service to each member. A prominent example is Dominick Viggiano, who is so loyal to the early crowd, opening the building every single day at 5am to make sure our commuters can get their exercise in before catching a train or senior swim team practice before school,” quotes Rebecca Fretty, President and CEO. “Stop by any time for a tour. We always welcome new members to our family and now is the time to kick off a fresh new wellness program made just for you.”
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Greenwich Family Y Marlins Divers Compete in Philadelphia
16 athletes from Greenwich Family Y’s Marlins Diving Club traveled to Philadelphia to compete in the 13th annual Spinner Diving Invitational at Drexel University held December 13 and 14. The Boys 14-15 year-old division stole the show with stellar performances in the three-meter event. James Mastoloni, 15 of Rye, NY; Nick Dipietrantonio, 15 also from Rye, NY; and Connor Brisson, 15 of Greenwich, CT all finished in the top 5 in that event. Connor Brisson was the champion in the three-meter event while also recording a victory in the one-meter event.
Other notable performances came from Carolina Sculti, 8 from Harrison, NY; with a second place finish on both the one and three-meter events, and Jake Bowtell, 13, from Darien, CT with a 4th place effort in the one-meter event. The team will travel again in January to compete at the Blue Dolphin Invitational in Trenton, NJ.
THE MARLINS DIVING CLUB
The Greenwich Family Y Marlins Diving Club has achieved great success since its debut in November 2007. Highlights include 15 AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) National Qualifiers, 2 USA National Qualifiers, a Speedo National Qualifier, strong showings at several competitions including USA regional meets and team victories at the Big Apple Invite in Long Island, NY and the West Point Diving Invitational in West Point, NY. The season was capped with a 2-time National Championship performance by 9 year-old Justin Sodokoff from Greenwich, CT.
The coaching staff drives the club’s success. Along with Head Coach Billy McGowan, assistant coaches Maureen Arnold, Julie Van Deusen, Bob Meadows and Scott Pierson are integral to the development of the divers and the program. More than 120 divers are registered on 3 different team levels; Blue, Gold and Junior Olympics.
THE OLYMPIC NATATORIUM
The Greenwich Family Y's new 50 meter x 25 yard state of the art Olympic pool opened in November 2007. It features a 13 feet deep, 75 feet x 40 feet diving well equipped for optimum training with 2 three-meter , 2 one-meter maxi-flex diving boards and one 1-meter training platform. The Natatorium hosts diving, swimming and water polo, making the aquatics center the finest in Fairfield Country.
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Greenwich Family Y and Virginia Graeme Baker ACT
December 18, 2008
Dear Greenwich Family Y Members,
There is a new pool safety regulation effective Friday, December 19, 2008, called the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007. This law was designed to protect swimmers from entrapment via the drains and outlets of a pool.
The Greenwich Family YMCA has been working with the federal, state and local officials to fully meet all aspects of these new standards and regulations. To be fully compliant, the last pieces of equipment required are large drain covers for our Olympic size pool. The drain covers have just been tested and certified by the Consumer Safety Products Commission and became available on December 16. Since these drain covers have just become available, the Town of Greenwich has granted the Greenwich Family Y an extension to comply with the drain cover installation after December 19, because we have been classified as a low-risk pool. We have no direct suction on any of our main drain covers or gutter system. All filtering is done via a gravity feed surge tank. This dramatically minimizes the possibility of entrapment if not eliminates it all together.
Until the covers are installed and we are given approval by the town, the Town of Greenwich Health Department requests the following safety precautions.
1- All swimmers must wear a bathing cap while in the pool.
2- No floatation devices, other than Safety Equipment, are allowed in the pool until the new covers are installed.
Town inspections will be conducted randomly over the next 2 weeks. It is critical that we comply with the requests of the Town Health Department or risk having our Natatorium closed until the drain covers are installed.
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please speak with a member of our team immediately.
Sincerely,
Timothy Wagner, Director of Real Estate & Building Operations
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The Greenwich Family Y and the Marlins Diving Club Announce: The Stephen B. Powers Diving Scholarship
Through the support and generosity of Christina Powers and the Powers Family, the Greenwich Family YMCA is developing a scholarship in memory of her husband, Stephen.
The Stephen B. Powers Scholarship will be awarded annually to Greenwich Marlins divers who demonstrate academic achievement, dedication to the sport of diving and competitive excellence and outstanding community service. This scholarship will build strength in spirit and character in our divers while honoring the way Stephen lived his life. The entire Greenwich Family YMCA is grateful for the opportunity to share Stephen’s legacy.
If you would like to be a part of this fund, gifts may be sent to:
Greenwich Family YMCA
Development Department
Attn: Maritza Bella-Reiss
50 East Putnam Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
Please include Stephen B. Powers in the memo line of your check.