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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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Icy Shower

The scrub trees next to the dam get an icy spray coating. The dam is behind the apple storage building off Church Street in Putnam. More winter photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

Boys’ Wrap-up

Teams pass

season 

midpoint

By Ron P. Coderre

As most high school teams roll past the midpoint of the season the postseason picture looks rather bleak for many.  In order to qualify for the CIAC Tournament teams must register wins in eight games or 40 percent of their schedule.  

Putnam, Tourtellotte, Killingly and Ellis Tech were all winless last week and in jeopardy of not qualifying.  Plainfield, which stands at 8-2 halfway through the season, is all set for the post season.  Woodstock Academy, with the tournament in its sight, picked up a win in its only game of the week.

The preps are positioning themselves for league postseason.  Putnam Science Academy is steamrolling through the competition at 19-2.  The Mustangs are keeping an eye on the National Prep school Championships in March.  Marianapolis V1 and Pomfret School, both with seven wins, are outside shots at the postseason.  Hyde Woodstock is muddling its way through the season at 4-9.

PSA Mustangs Pick Up Easy Win

Putnam Science Academy, the region’s premier team, picked up an easy victory as the Mustangs rolled past Commonwealth Academy, topping the century mark 104-71.  Five players hit double digits in the high-scoring affair led by Hamidou Diallo with 22 points and Mamadou Diarra with 21 markers.  Point guard Kealen Ives paced the floor games with 13 points while dishing out 14 assists.  Andrew Robinson had 16 points with four coming from beyond the three point arc.  The “Igniter” Josh Wallace had 11 points off the bench.

Pomfret School, led by Cam Winston’s 18 points, picked up a 55-50 win at home over Groton School.  Gerald Blount added 11 for the 7-4 Griffins.

Hyde-Woodstock spit two games over the week, beating Providence Country Day 58-52 and losing to Lee Academy 47-38.  The Wolfpack scoring came from three players, Eamon Joyce Jr. who was game high scorer with 33 points and Dexter Thompson with 17 and Damon Gomes with eight.  In the loss to Lee, Gomes was the lone Hyde player in double digits, as the Wolfpack dropped to 4-9 on the season.

Marianapolis V1 unit suffered through a disappointing two-game stretch, getting crushed by Cushing Academy 83-49 and losing to Tilton Academy 75-58.  The Golden Knights V2 team picked up a 74-57 victory over Oxford Academy.  Four players were in double figures, led by Ryan Hourihan with 19 points, followed by Justin Kunkel (16), Andrew Ford (15) and Matt Sabacinski (14).

Wins Difficult to Come By for Schoolboys

Plainfield High School boasting an 8-2 record bulldozed its way over winless Tourtellotte 63-42 in the Tigers Den.  The Panthers were paced by game high scorer Steve Jankowski with 28 points.  Liam Jacobs added 11 in the victory.

Tourtellotte continued its losing ways as it was also beaten by Wheeler 66-30 and St. Bernard 57-37.  The Tigers are 0-10 on the season and 0-4 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division.

Woodstock Academy, valiantly striving to get to .500, beat the Killingly Redmen in Killingly 49-30.  The 4-7 Centaurs had three players in double figures, Adam Converse (13), Bryce Jarrett (10) and Luke Blodgett (12).  Killingly went on the road to Groton where it suffered a 66-51 loss at the hands of the Fitch Falcons.  Chace Wood had 19 for Killingly.

Putnam, which is suffering through a 2-8 season, lost to St. Bernard 64-51 and to Lyman Memorial 70-56.  

The Ellis Tech Eagles dropped to 3-7 on the season and 1-4 in the Constitution State Conference – East with losses to Norwich Tech and Parish Hill.  The Eagles lost 67-61 in overtime to Parish Hill as they were outscored 13-7 in the extra period by the Pirates.  Trent Raymond with 17 points was the high scorer for Ellis Tech.  Earlier they lost to Norwich Tech 86-64.

 

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