W. Thomas Musser, chairman of the board of the Tri-M Group (from left) and Tri-M President and CEO Jim Horn, who are leading the capital campaign, are shown with the Kennett Y Executive Director Jeff Daly.
Officials report $150,000 left to raise for $3.4 million project
The Kennett Area YMCA, ranked the top Y in the country for member satisfaction for three years running, has been working to overcome a hurdle created by its success: too many patrons, too little space.
Today Jeff Daly, the Y’s executive director, announced that the planned expansion and renovation of the facility at 101 Race St. will begin this month. When the doors opened at the Y more than a decade ago, it was designed to serve 5,000 people, a number that has grown to more than 12,000, Daly said.
“Thanks to the support of our members, donors and the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley, we now have the resources to meet the needs of our growing community,” said Daly.
The construction project will increase the overall square footage of the Kennett Y by 25 percent and includes expansion of the Y’s wellness center, construction of a warm-water aquatics area, creation of a family activity center and other enhancements.
In September, the Kennett Y awarded a construction contract to Warfel Construction of Lancaster. The anticipated cost for the project is $3.4 million and construction is expected to be completed in June.
In July 2011, the Kennett Y launched a capital campaign for the expansion under the leadership of W. Thomas Musser, chairman of the board of the Tri-M Group in Kennett Square. “We’re grateful to many donors who have shown their support for the capital campaign,” said Musser. “Now, with just $150,000 left to raise, we have received a generous $75,000 matching grant that can help us reach our campaign goal and complete entire project, including a much-needed family activity center. Every dollar we raise now is critical with this dollar-for-dollar match.”
The Kennett Y plans a formal groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 30 at 8:30 am. To learn more about the capital campaign or make a donation, visit www.kennettycapital.org.
