St. Michaels Family YMCA facility expansion update
Wednesday, May 16, 2012:After the initial review process, the suggested revisions to the floor plan and design of the new St. Michaels YMCA were drawn out by architect Tom King of King and Associates. The plans show a two-story, glass front, open interior design on approximately 20,000 square feet and house a lap / recreational pool, a half-court gymnasium, two group exercise / multi-purpose rooms, a spacious child watch facility with outdoor play access, an intergenerational recreation space, conference room, locker rooms, two large wellness areas and lobby with social lounge. The plans will be unveiled at the upcoming St. Michaels Running Festival, from which the organizers of the event plan to make a contribution of funds towards our facility expansion. Afterwards the plans will be on display at the St. Michaels Family YMCA. It is estimated that the site planning process will still take 9 - 12 months, but initial fundraising plans are underway!
Monday, April 30, 2012:
After the YMCA’s community forums for the building expansion project in St. Michaels, which were held on January 31st, the YMCA’s consultant group, Triangle 2, reported their assessment of facility needs to Robbie Gill, CEO. This presentation included initial architectural renderings of two proposed floor plans that included areas deemed to be most important to the community based on the information they gathered on January 31st, 2012.
These drawings were then presented to the Board of Directors of the St. Michaels Family YMCA at their April Board meeting. Once this information passed the local advisory board, the plans went through first round modifications with Robbie Gill, CEO; Jennifer Strickland, COO; Tracy Cohee, Branch Executive Director; and architect Tom King of King & Associates.
At this time, the plans continue to be reviewed and will soon be finalized so the next steps can be taken which will include costing the project and fundraising feasibility.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012:
The YMCA of the Chesapeake held a community forum to take feedback on programs and ammenities the community would like to see included when the NEW St. Michaels Family YMCA is constructed. During this forum, Robbie Gill, CEO, updated those in attendance of the process and where we are in that process. At this time, it is confirmed that the new YMCA will be constructed on the grounds of the St. Michaels school complex off of Seymour Avenue. The YMCA will be placed in front of the soccer stadium in the rear of the high school parking lot. Two of the existing tennis courts will be relocated as not to reduce the ammentities that are already available to the community. If all goes well, the project is expected to be completed on or before the conclusion of 2015. If you were unable to attend the community forum, but would like to provide feedback that can be used in determinimg what ammenities may be offered in this new facility, please contact Tracy Cohee, Executive Director, at tjcohee@ymcachesapeake.org.