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Increased Pledge

Last week Citizens National Bank increased its pledge to the Regional Community YMCA to $75,000. Left to right: James O'S Morton, president and CEO of YMCA of Greater Hartford; Betty Hale, Newell D. Hale Foundation; Peter Deary, chairman of the bank board; David Conrad, bank president; and Mayor Anthony Falzarano. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

 

 

By Linda Lemmon

Town Crier Editor

PUTNAM --- Town officials recently awarded the bid for the construction of the Technology Park Bridge, putting the tech park and the Regional Community YMCA into high gear.

Tully Construction Corporation  of Southbridge will begin construction before the winter weather sets in. The total bid was $2,263,000 and is being funded with a state grant.

And Mayor Anthony Falzarano, speaking at Citizen National Bank's pledge event last week, promised that by spring the bridge will be ready. The bridge will link Kennedy Drive to the proposed high tech park and the Regional Community YMCA.

Citizens National Bank last week raised its pledge for the regional YMCA from $50,000 to $75,000. David Conrad, bank president, recalled how he learned to swim at a YMCA in New York and that his family availed itself of the Y programs later. "The bank is very proud" to support the regional YMCA, he said. 

Peter Deary, chairman of the bank's board, said "This is what community banks are all about, giving back."

James O'S Morton, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford, said collaboration and potential go hand in hand.  The YMCA helps make sure all reach their highest potential and that happens with partnerships with the organizations, volunteers and the community, as well. "It's not about the YMCA," he said. "It's about the community. We are working together for the community. 

"This is the partnership that's going to make this happen. It makes us realize our potential for this community," he added. 

Betty Hale of the Newell D. Hale Foundation, along with her late husband, is the spark behind the project. She told those at the Citizens National Bank event "It's going to happen."

Counsel Ronald P. Coderre said that the local advisory board added programs that will serve this region best. That includes a full gym, staying with the eight-lane pool and adding a teen center. The size of the YMCA went from 42,000 square feet to 46,000 square feet and the price tag went from $13.5 million to $14.6 million. Construction should be completed by next fall.