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Ground Broken

Laurence Hale, Betty Hale Jim Calhoun and former State Senator Donald E. Williams Jr. get ready to  break ground for the new Regional Community YMCA last week. It should be completed in the summer of 2016. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

 

Ground is

broken for

regional Y

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

A gathering of approximately 200 officials, donors, friends and well wishers assembled at the site of the Regional Community YMCA off Kennedy Drive in Putnam Jan. 22 for the official groundbreaking ceremony of the 46,000-square foot facility.

The facility is expected to open in the summer of 2016.

The project, which has been in the making since 2007, is suddenly becoming a reality.  Throughout the groundbreaking ceremony large construction equipment was already at work digging the area for the foundation as trucks filled with concrete were pouring as they took advantage of the break in the weather.

As well wishers gathered under the ceremonial tent, Master of Ceremonies Ronald P. Coderre, who has served as the counsel for the capital campaign, spoke about the hard work and perseverance of the volunteers who have maintained their faith in the project.  “Despite the many delays encountered along the way we’ve been able to ‘turn the stumbling blocks into stepping stones’” he said.

The program opened with the singing of the National Anthem by Air Force veteran Maurice “Moe” Coderre, which was followed by a touching invocation by Sylvia Danenhower and Isaac, a student from Pomfret Community School.  Danenhower and her husband Dr. Garfield Danenhower are serving as the general chairpersons of the “Building a Dream” campaign, assisted by Vice Chairman Paul Kelly of Woodstock. 

Also on hand was former UConn legendary basketball coach Jim Calhoun, who along with his wife Pat are serving as honorary chairpersons of the campaign.  “As a young man growing up in Boston the Y played an instrumental role in my life after my dad passed away.  I know the value that a Y can mean to an area and my wife and I are proud to assist as we’re committed to northeastern Connecticut,” said Calhoun, who lives in Pomfret.  

The idea of a Regional Community YMCA to serve the people of northeastern Connecticut was initiated by Betty and Laurence Hale and the Newell D. Hale Foundation with a pledge of $3 million.  The total cost of the project is $14.6 million and will include an eight-lane pool, a warm water pool, gymnasium, fitness and aerobic area, teen center and child watch area.  

The 15 acres of land where the Y is located was provided as a gift from Wheelabrator Technologies.  Wheelabrator representative and Regional Business Development Director Donald Musial told the gathering that the company was pleased to cooperate in a venture “that will add value to the Putnam community.”  Musial and his predecessor Robert Jacques negotiated the land transfer.

Additional support was received in 2010, when Sen. Donald Williams announced an Economic Development Grant of $3.745 million from the state.  “We’ve all worked hard to make this Y a reality.  This project and facility will provide jobs that will energize the region and continue the growth we’ve witnessed in recent years,” said Williams, who serves as a member of the local Board of Advisers for the Y.

Laurence Hale provided the keynote moment of the ceremony as he reiterated the commitment of the Newell D. Hale Foundation and thanked all those in attendance for their patience and support throughout the seven-year journey.  “This is an exciting moment for our family as we realize the dream my father had many years ago of building a pool for the people of our area.  We’re pleased to be able to provide the support necessary to build a YMCA,” said Hale.

“The YMCA offers so many programs besides swim and gym,” said Betty Hale.  “Having the Y available to everyone will be an asset to our region.  We’re looking forward to the day when we can cut the ribbon for the grand opening.”

A community capital campaign with a goal of $2.85 million has progressed to the point where “we’re perilously close to reaching our goal,” said Grater Hartford YMCA President and CEO James Morton.  “Working with the people of the area, we’ve come to know, love and respect those involved in the project and the many other residents we’ve met along the way.”

Putnam Mayor Tony Falzarano opened the speaking program with greetings from the town of Putnam.  Jerry Gooden, chairman of the Greater Hartford YMCA Board of Directors, thanked everyone for moving the project forward and reaffirmed Hartford’s support of the project.  The YMCA will provide $4 million to the Regional Community YMCA.  The benediction and closing of the ceremony was offered by attorney Thomas Borner, president of Putnam Bank and chairman of the capital campaign Corporate and Finance Committee.

Despite the chilly weather conditions the spirit of the gathering warmed those in attendance and kindled the fires of success as the long awaited Regional Community YMCA is another step closer to realizing the dream Newell Hale had many years ago.

 

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