NORWICH – The Norwich Family YMCA prides itself on building strong kids, strong families and strong communities and beginning on Monday, the Y will celebrate 145 years of doing just that.
From Nov. 5 through Nov. 9, the YMCA will be celebrating its 145th anniversary with an open house and member appreciation events. On Nov. 12, 1862, the New York State Committee of the YMCA received requests for methods of starting a YMCA facility in Norwich. During the YMCA’s early years, donations, gifts and fundraising provided all money for operations. From their first location in the Academy of Music Building on South Broad Street to their present location at 68 -70 North Broad Street, the YMCA has seen many homes and has had many children and adults walk through their doors.
For weeks, volunteers have been working to sort through old photos and documents to make a YMCA timeline that will be on display in the main lobby.
YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen said the concept behind the open house is to get people into the facility. “There’s been a lot of improvements, and we want people to see the work that has been completed,” Mullen said. During the week, individuals will be able to come in and try one of the fitness classes or to take a tour of the new facility and see how it has changed. Improvements that have been made include new synthetic flooring in the fitness center, a refinished track and gymnasium, new carpet in the main facility, a new roof, improvements to the dehumidifier in the pool area and many improvements to the mechanical components of the building to make it more energy efficient.
“There’s a lot of work we’ve done and improvements we’ve made that we want people to come see,” Mullen said.
In conjunction with the open house, the Y will also be hosting a membership appreciation week. “We want to thank our members for sticking with us through a trying summer,” Mullen said. “We are a member organization, and we survive because of our members.” Mullen explained that as a staff, the YMCA would like to thank all of its members. Throughout the week, they plan to give out door prizes, give aways and treats of all kinds.
Mullen explained that while the Y has seen an array of improvements in recent months, those improvements have no bottom line impact on membership prices. Membership fees cover the daily cost of operations, such as utility costs and wages.
The week will come to an end on Friday with a family fun night that will be free for Y members and cost other community members only a nominal fee. From 6:30 to 8:30 Friday night, the Y will host a sock hop. Root beer floats, made with ice cream donated by Ives Cream, will be available, and birthday activities will be scheduled in honor of the YMCA’s 145 anniversary. At 7:30 a huge birthday cake will be unveiled and children will have the opportunity to help blow out the 145 candles decorating the cake. A play zone will be available, including a bounce house and rock climbing wall donated by the Greater Tri-Valley YMCA. The pool and the kids’ gym will be available for family activities.
In addition, children at the Y facility will be doing art work all year long in honor of National Arts Week. An art exhibit will be held on Friday night so parents will have the opportunity to see their children’s work on display.
“The Y has changed over our 145 year history, but one thing that has remained constant is the ownership of our mission. We won’t turn people away because of their inability to pay,” Mullen said. The YMCA scholarship program ensures that even those who cannot afford a Y membership can have the opportunity to utilize the facility.
For more information on the events taking place at the Norwich Family YMCA or information on the history of the organization, visit their newly unveiled web site at www.norwichymca.com.