- Details
- Category: Past Issues
caption, page 7:
Visiting
Left to right: Greater Hartford YMCA President and CEO James Morton; Wheelabrator Putnam representative Robert Jacques; Putnam Mayor Peter Place; Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. representative Don Musial. Courtesy photo.
Y, officials
check Y
parcel;
discuss
progress
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
A group of individuals, integral to the success of the proposed Regional Community, gathered at the site of the future facility April 4 to survey the land and discuss movement toward the eventual construction of the 40,000 to 45,000 square foot structure.
On hand for this important information-sharing session were Putnam Mayor Pete Place and Douglas Cutler, town administrator; Wheelabrator – Putnam representatives Robert Jacques and Don Musial; James O’S Morton, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford; Betty and Laurence Hale of the Newell D. Hale Foundation; and Dr. Garfield and Sylvia Danenhower, general chairpersons of the “Building A Dream” Capital Campaign. Also in attendance were Jim Scherer, COO, and Brian Bergeson, facilities vice president of the Greater Hartford YMCA.
The group met at the site, just north of Exit 95 off I-395 on property owned by Wheelabrator. Wheelabrator has agreed to deed 65 acres of the land to the Town of Putnam as the future location for the proposed Regional Industrial Technical Park. The Y is planned to be located on 15 of those acres, just beyond the proposed bridge, which is scheduled for construction in the near future.
“This is a very important project for Putnam and all the surrounding towns. This type of facility is something that’s been needed for some time in our area. It will meet the recreational and health needs of the citizens of all ages,” said Mayor Place.
Cutler unveiled a topography plan of the area, allowing the group to better understand the most advantageous location for the proposed construction. Cutler also discussed the schedule for the construction of the proposed bridge to be initiated, following discussions with the State thanks to the office of state Senator Donald E. Williams Jr.. According to the Mayor’s office, Putnam has found a state regulatory agency to take the lead on the project.
‘We’ve enjoyed a positive relationship with the town of Putnam in the years we’ve conducted business in the community. Being able to assist this type of project and working with the YMCA is another way we feel we can help,” said Wheelabrator representative Jacques.
The proposed Regional Community YMCA is expected to cost approximately $13 million. The Newell D. Hale Foundation donated $3 million and a state grant of $3.745 million, plus the “Building A Dream” Capital Campaign, has put the overall numbers at $8.5 million. The Capital Campaign headed by Dr. and Mrs. Danenhower has received more than $1.7 million toward its goal of $2.5 million.
Volunteers continue to contact potential donors to the campaign. In April the campaign initiated the Community Phase of the $2.5 million effort under the leadership of Dr. Marc Cerrone and his wife attorney Kate Cerrone. The Cerrones indicated that anyone wishing to assist with the campaign or desiring more information on how to support the fund-raising should call 860-928-6772.
Campaign personnel and Y team members indicated that architectural work, which will involve input from individuals throughout northeastern Connecticut, will begin when a total of $9 million is reached.