Contact:

Donna Lisitano
Marketing and Communications Director
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT COAST YMCA
1240 Chapel Street, New Haven CT 06511
O 203 777 9622 x2114 E dlisitano@cccymca.org

YMCA ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT PLANS

[New Haven, June 30, 2020] - The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA has announced
their plans to renovate and build new Y facilities within their twelve-branch system
serving residents in the twenty-five towns and cities from Town of Fairfield to
Madison. Y CEO, David Stevenson, reported that over that past two years, the Y
Board of Directors has developed a comprehensive plan to update and improve
many of its facilities. “We’re a beautiful old New England Y that has been serving
local neighborhoods since 1859,” Stevenson said, and “we have to make sure that
our properties are supporting the mission of the Y and the meeting the needs of our
communities.” In 2019, the Y served 74,269 youth, families, and adults through
programs and services focused on building character, closing the education
achievement gap, teaching kids how to swim and be safe around the water,
reducing overweight and obesity, preventing Type 2 diabetes, and ending chronic
homelessness. Y Board Chairperson, Blanca Kazmierczak, stated that “as a not-for-
profit, charitable, community-service organization, our volunteers, donors, and staff
work hard every day to meet community needs, particularly for the most
disadvantaged. Everyone is welcome at the Y, regardless of ability to pay.”

Plans for the improvements include renovations at the Y’s overnight camp, YMCA
Camp Hi-Rock in Massachusetts, and the Fairfield Y branch. A new facility is being
planned in Stratford to replace the current Y that was built in 1970. Plans are also
being developed to replace the Hamden/North Haven Y and the Valley Y. Stevenson
reported that Y leaders have collected and reviewed a great deal of local data to
assure that the renovated and new facilities are relevant and sustainable. Y leaders
have also been meeting with YMCA of the USA consultants and local architects to
develop the program concepts for the new buildings. “New facility construction is
very expensive” stated Stevenson, “so we want to make absolutely sure that we
get it right based on what local residents want and need. To do this, we will be
spending a great deal of time listening to Y members and local residents to hear
their ideas about what they would like in their new Y.” The development process
includes raising funds locally, a process that often takes several years. Board Chair
Kazmierczak stated that “building a new Y requires a broad-based local
commitment. The community has to really want a Y to make the project viable.”
The projects in Hamden/North Haven and Ansonia will require the purchase of new
properties on which to build. Stevenson said that the Hamden/North Haven Y
currently sits on six acres that are zoned for indoor-use only, and the Valley Y in
Ansonia sits on one acre. Ideally, the Y would like to find ten-acre sites that will

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT COAST YMCA

1240 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06511
P 203 777 9622 F 203 777 5871 W cccymca.org
 provide the proper space for outdoor programming and parking. The purchase of
properties and construction of new Ys will be very expensive reported Stevenson.
“We’re looking at projects that can cost between $15M and $40M each depending
on the amenities that may be included such as an aquatic center, child care center,
and wellness/fitness center.”

Stevenson also reported that the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on the Y’s
finances has created a significant challenge. “Our revenues were slashed by 90%
overnight. We have cut way back on expenses including furloughs and salary
reductions, but we have a serious problem.” The Y’s Board of Directors has met
regularly over the past few months to analyze current conditions and to consider
staff recommendations to address the fiscal challenge. Stevenson reported that
following lengthy discussion, the board has decided to continue Y youth services in
Hamden, North Haven, and the Valley communities at satellite sites and local
elementary schools, and not to re-open the Hamden/North Haven Y building at
1605 Sherman Ave. and the Valley Y building at 12 State St., Ansonia. “This was a
very difficult decision, stated Board Chair Kazmierczak, “as these two buildings
have served their communities very well for many years.” Both the Hamden/North
Haven Y, opened in 1971, and the Valley Y, opened in 1924, have been operating at
significant deficits with declining membership over the past five years. “We love
these old Y buildings” stated Stevenson, “but they are out of date and were built to
support different kinds of activities, and both buildings are in need of constant
repair.” Pre-school child care offered at the Valley Y’s Child Care Center at 32
Howard St., Ansonia will continue as will before and after-school programs and
summer day camp programs currently offered in Hamden, North Haven, and the
Valley communities at satellite centers and local elementary schools. The Valley Y
also offers a residence program for twenty men. “We will work with local agencies
to find everyone a new home and no one will be rushed out of their current room at
the Y”, reported Stevenson. Kazmierczak stated that she is “really glad that we’re
going to be able to continue our youth serving programs in Hamden, North Haven
and the Valley communities while work begins to acquire land and build new Y
facilities.” Stevenson reported that since 1859 the Central Connecticut Coast Y has
served through war, economic downturn, social change, and pandemic, and has
continued to grow and thrive. “We’re facing a real challenge” Stevenson said, “and I
am sure that we will prevail as we always have.”
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The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is a charitable, not-for-profit, community

service organization dedicated to putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice
through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The Y
strengthens the foundations of communities and families through youth
development, healthy living, and social responsibility in twenty-four towns and
cities in the Greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas. Additionally, programs and
services are offered through YMCA Camp Hi-Rock located in Mount Washington, MA.

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT COAST YMCA

1240 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06511
P 203 777 9622 F 203 777 5871 W cccymca.org