THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 25, 1995 TAG: 9508230217
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY XIAOHONG ZHANG SWAIN, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
The newly renovated and expanded building of the Chesapeake Family YMCA was rededicated at a ceremony Aug. 17.
The 10,000-square-foot expansion includes a multipurpose gymnasium, a fitness center and a main lobby. The facilities have been opened to members since July.
Katherine Dalton-Jones, the branch's marketing and membership director, said: ``People are enjoying the building's new setup. The building is more organized and has a clearer sense of direction. People are amazed. They didn't realize the scope of the expansion.''
Jones said more members are using the fitness center because it's more visible. She said children in this year's YMCA summer camp enjoyed using the new gymnasium.
The new lobby features a standout, front entrance with pillars that bears three engraved bold Y letters on the sides of its massive red roofing. Immediately inside the building, a roomy front-desk section greets the visitors.
The new fitness center is neatly furbished with new free weights and resistive-circuit training equipment, plus treadmills, stair climbers and stationary bikes. Wide and tall windows that start from the floor level provide exercisers a pleasant view of the outside world.
``What can I say? It's beautiful,'' said June Clifton, who has been a member of the Chesapeake Family Y for three years.
Charles Horton, another member, likes the new fitness center. ``There are more modern equipment,'' he said. ``I like the way the room is set up now.''
The expansion began in November 1994 and cost more than $500,000.
Jones said the new gymnasium will allow the Y to serve many more children in its after-school and summer camp programs.
The expansion also made it possible for the branch to double the sizes of its preschool program and a free nursery for members.
The enlarged nursery will help accommodate a growing enrollment, which is expected to reach 60 by September.
``Parents heavily complimented us on the nursery,'' Jones said. ``They feel good about it.''
Along with construction of the new facilities, old sections of the building were renovated with new carpeting and new paint.
Jones is proud of the fact that the branch never had to close down during the construction and renovation.
At the rededication ceremony, YMCA officials praised the Y's staff and members for their joint effort in making every change of the branch come true.
``You have made Chesapeake a better place to live,'' said Mayor William E. Ward. ``You give the community a sense of future.'' by CNB