Published: July 23, 2008 12:46 am            

YMCA breaks ground on expansion project

The 60 or so people crowded onto the porch entrance of Denny Price Family YMCA Tuesday didn’t deter the comings and goings of the regular fitness enthusiasts who use the Y over the lunch hour.

The crowd was on hand for those very YMCA users, however, who will begin seeing a transformation of the Y as construction begins next week on another expansion.

Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce members, YMCA board members, donors and city officials were on hand to break ground on the new 7,400-square-foot project, which will rearrange the Y’s lobby, administrative offices and nursery and allow for a large expansion of the cardio, Cybex and free weight offerings at the Y. The renovation also will make way for the construction of a teen fitness arcade that uses video technology to encourage teens to exercise.

YMCA volunteers have been raising money for about 18 months to pay for the expansion, which will cost nearly $2 million.

Jack Stark was president of the Denny Price Family YMCA board of directors when the fundraising began. He praised previous board members, who had a vision about 10 years ago concerning expanding the Y.

“This is really a momentous event,” Stark told the crowd. “I am thrilled to see us finally getting this kicked off.”

This project is the fourth expansion of the YMCA in the last 10 years. So far, more than $3 million has been spent in expanding the YMCA, and membership has grown because of those changes.

Membership at the YMCA now stands at more than 7,500, and more than 9,000 youth were served through YMCA programs last year, a representation of about 60 percent of the youth community, Stark said.

“This represents that if you build it, they will come,” he said.

Chad Dillingham, who was the fundraising chairman for Phase IV, said the true success of the campaign rests with the 80 volunteers who worked the drive. He also praised the staff of the YMCA for its dedication to providing services and the kind of programs that keep members coming back and staying active.

The $1.7 million raised represents 181 financial gifts, ranging from $100 to $250,000, Dillingham said.

Executive Director Ken Rapp said construction will begin in about a week, and the most immediate disruption will be the parking lot nearest the door. That lot will be cleared for the new part of the building.

Once the new construction is complete — scheduled for spring 2009 — the remodeling will begin, which will be more of a “challenge” for members, Rapp said.

The total project should be finished by fall 2009.