PUTNAM — The YMCA under construction in Putnam will be named the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center. It will stand as a lasting tribute to Newell D. Hale, the Newell D. Hale Foundation and the Hale Family as generations of northeast corner families grow in a strong, healthy community, according to YMCA of Greater Hartford president and CEO Harold Sparrow.

Sparrow said there would be no YMCA in the quiet corner if not for the vision, generosity, and community spirit of Betty Hale and her son Laurence. Betty and Laurence are long time civic leaders, as was Mrs. Hale’s late husband Newell. Before Newell died in 2002, he credited a daily swim with maintaining his quality of life during his long illness, and after his passing, the Hale family set out to honor him by bringing a community pool to all residents of northeastern Connecticut.

“We are grateful—and honored—that the Hales made the YMCA of Greater Hartford a partner for their vision. As trustees of The Newell D. Hale foundation, Betty and Laurence planted the seed for what has grown to be so much more than a pool. They enlisted friends and local businesses to become ambassadors for the Y, to fundraise, to find the perfect site in Putnam, and create what will serve as a community center and state-of-the-art wellness center for people of all ages—with not one—but TWO swimming pools. 

“None of this would have been possible without Betty and Laurence Hale. That’s why it is only fitting that the new YMCA in Putnam bear the Hale name. I’m honored to announce that the Regional Community YMCA is officially becoming the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center,” said Sparrow. 

“Newell would be thrilled that our family’s foundation took a leadership role to bring this wonderful facility to our friends and neighbors,” said Mrs. Hale.

“The New Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center will honor the mission of our family and our foundation—to improve the health and wellness of the people of Northeastern Connecticut,” added Mr. Hale.

Construction of the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center is on schedule for a late winter 2016 opening, but is dependent upon timely completion of the Town of Putnam’s Regional Tech Park infrastructure.  The Y anticipates inviting the community for hard hat tours in early 2016.

The Hale YMCA Youth and Family center houses two swimming pools, which will be used for recreational and competitive swimming, as well as YMCA swimming and water safety instruction.

And as part of the YMCA’s commitment to fighting childhood obesity and encouraging the lifestyle choices that lead to healthy families, the facility will host a state-of-the-art health and wellness center, gymnasium, group exercise studio/multi-purpose room, and teen center.  Amazing kids and child watch rooms (babysitting while in the facility), will allow adults to access YMCA services while their children are cared for in a safe on-site environment.

The Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center will serve residents from the towns of Putnam, Killingly, Eastford, Thompson, Brooklyn, Pomfret, Woodstock and Plainfield.  

 

 

The new Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center is made possible by the collaboration of donors, volunteers, local leaders, fitness and health enthusiasts, the YMCA of Greater Hartford, and members of the community the new facility will serve. Among the many groups and organizations supporting Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center and its family-oriented wellness programming are the YMCA of Greater Hartford YMCA, the Town of Putnam, the Newell D. Hale Foundation, state agencies and private organizations and individuals Jim and Pat Calhoun, honorary co-chairs of the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center Capital Campaign. Woody and Sylvia Danenhower are General Campaign chairs.