Clarion YMCA opens

By: fioreMarketing | February 1, 2019 | Original Article

CLARION – The new $12 million Clarion County YMCA opened Thursday.

“We did it,” YMCA director Jesse Kelley said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility on Mayfield Road. “This is a vehicle for us to do miracles. It is a chance to change people’s lives,” Kelley added.

Former YMCA board chairman Ron Wilshire said, “When we started this project people said Clarion would get a new Y when hell freezes over. Considering the temperature today, I think this qualifies.”

Melissa Bauer, co-chair of the capital campaign, said she was “elated” to be present on “this historic day.”

“Our ancestors understood that they were building a community and molding its culture for generations to come,” said Al Lander, co-chairman of the capital campaign. “They passed it onto us as trustees for the next generation. Today we walk on the stage of life and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder and eye-to-eye with our ancestors.”

Tom Spence, CEO of the Scenic Rivers YMCA, said he was “humbled” to be at the opening of the YMCA. He thanked the staff and the volunteers of the YMCA for their dedication and support.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” Spence said.

Video messages from Gov. Tom Wolf and Rep. Donna Oberlander were played.

The 40,000-square-foot facility offers a full service wellness center with cardiovascular and resistance training equipment, free-weights, a group exercise studio, full gymnasium with a separate running/walking track, a family pool, and full-day childcare for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and children before and after school.

There are also conference rooms, outpatient rehabilitation, an outdoor athletic field, work stations, kitchen, multi-purpose rooms, men’s and women’s locker rooms, family locker rooms, an outdoor deck for picnics and receptions, and a chapel.

For additional information, people can call (814) 764-3400 or go to http://www.clarioncountyymca.org


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