We have a lot to be thankful for here in the North County. and among our blessings, we should count the YMCA.
We were reminded of that recently when New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie was in Plattsburgh to announce the future location of the new YMCA had received $4.5 million in funding, $1.5 more than originally planned.
The facility, located at 295 New York Road, was once home to the University of Vermont Health Network Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital’s Wellness Center before it was gifted to the town of Plattsburgh during their search for a new location.
Heastie told those assembled June 25 at the organization’s future home that he grew up in an area of the Bronx that did not have a YMCA until 2013.
“Only the YMCA thought that the project in my area was viable, and so the YMCA took a chance on us,” Heastie said. Those are similar to comments he made in 2022 when the Y announced it had secured $1.3 million in funding for the advancement of the new facility.
“I spent years advocating for a YMCA for my community because I know the transformative power they have for families,” he said three years ago while in Plattsburgh. “The YMCA is a critical resource for so many families, providing childcare, after school activities, fitness classes and even summer camp programs.”
And on June 25, Heastie showed how much he enjoyed those facilities as cameras caught him taking a moment out of his busy schedule to shoot some hoops with New York State Assemblymember Billy Jones at the New York Road facility.
Heastie again emphasized the importance of community centers and the resources they have to offer residents — and not just the sports equipment.
“Quite often, people think Y’s are pools and basketball courts, but they just offer so much from our babies up to our most treasured seniors,” he said. “And I just think centers like this need to be supported.”
Plans for the new Plattsburgh Y include barrier-free aquatics, fitness and child-watch areas and community-connection opportunities, according to officials, as well as meeting rooms, teen spaces and family-friendly multi-purpose rooms.
The $4.5 million will allow the Y to complete the pool at the New York Road center, which CEO Justin Ihne described as in need of “significant renovations.”
“While the bones are good, there’s a lot of need to renovate this building,” he added. “… The pool area itself represents about $4.5 worth of renovations. Not to mention upgrades in all of the things that go with that: filtration, dehumidifier, all the pieces that go into running a pool area.”
These funds put the Y closer to its nearly $20 million goal, and the day it can move into the new location.
Sarah Munn, Plattsburgh YMCA Development Coordinator, said plans for the facility have been in the works since 2018, but active fundraising began three years ago.
Ihne added that during last week’s announcement that $12.5 million of the $19.5 million goal for renovations has been raised.
With supporters in the community like Heastie, who show up to work — and play — for and at the Y, we have confidence that goal will be met sooner than later.