The CLC YMCA officially launched a $1.2 million capitol campaign this week to build a new swimming pool.
The YMCA board of directors have silently raised a half million dollars for the campaign, thanks in part to a $100,000 challenge grant issued I August 2010. The Y is in hopes of raising the remaining $700,000 by late summer, so the construction can begin in early fall.
“The challenge gift really has gotten people excited, with the realization that the pool is really within reach,” executive director Craig Wilson said last August.
On a least two occasions, the former CLC Rec Center conducted a survey to determine if there was enough interest and available capital to build a pool. The first time was in 1985, under then director Wayne Plummer.
Wilson, who has been executive director since 2004, said he attended a public meeting about five years ago when someone shouted, “when is the pool coming?”
“I’ve always said, if you’re patient, and let me work at it, we’ll get it,” Wilson said. “Former administrators and boards have built the foundation. We are now ready to begin our fundraising for a swimming pool.”
The project involves repairs and expansion of the parking area; replacing the early 1900s town water line, which runs through the YMCA property; adding more walking trails; hooking the Y into the town sewer; and bringing the building up to code with a fire sprinkler system.
New parking will be added, after moving the ball field fence to a Little League standard distance of 200 feet.
“The project is not just about a new swimming pool. The project is also about updating and improving the safety of the building,” Wilson said.
If fundraising is successful, the new pool will be built onto the north end of the building, between the existing Y and the GSB School. A new entranceway will be built connecting the pool with the current Y building. “The new entranceway will provide easier and safer drop-off and pick-up of kids,” Wilson said.
The pool will be a four-lane, 25-meter, standard length model. The facility will include new locker rooms for men, women and family, and “the entire building will be handicapped accessible,” Wilson said.
The existing locker rooms and entranceway will be turned into space for expanded programs, after school activities and more office space.
When asked if there was a possibility to build a six-lane pool instead of four, Wilson responded that if the capital campaign raised $400,000 more ($1.6 million total) then a six lane pool would be built.
“One reason for going with a four lane pool is it is a number we can reach,” he said. “We feel we can reach our fundraising goal within a year, so the public doesn’t have to wait another 30 years for a swimming pool, and four lanes is within our budget to maintain.”
Programs at the new pool will include baby and youth swim lessons, a Masters swim program, YMCA swim team, open lap swim, and water exercise classes. “We’re talking to local elementary schools to make swim lessons a part of their curriculum,” Wilson said.
“We know there are a lot of people in the community traveling to other communities to swim. We feel it is important to make a pool available in this community,” CLC YMCA board president Mark Andrews said.
“We’re confident the public will support and finish the fundraising part,” of a new pool, Wilson said.
“We have a lot of grants out,” Wilson said. “Hopefully we’ll have an answer (on the grant applications) in the next 60 days.”
The one time CLC Rec Center has not offered swim lessons to children in about 15 years. Hundreds of children a year used to learn to swim at Biscay Beach in Damariscotta and Damariscotta Lake State Park in Jefferson through the CLC program.
“The board and Y have really put pressure on themselves to bring swim lessons back to Damariscotta,” Wilson said. “Learning to swim is so important. The YMCA are leaders in aquatics and teaching swimming lessons. The pool is important not only for kids, but for adults and seniors for non-impact exercise. Aquatics is one of the best exercises. To not have that as part of our Y curriculum is not good. We’re correcting that.”
The Y will have a public unveiling of the capital campaign at their Home & Garden Show on March 19-20. Plans and models of the project will be on display. “People can come and ask questions or make suggestions,” Wilson said.
“The goal is to complete fundraising before the end of the summer, so construction can begin in the fall. This can only be done if the public steps forward and completes the fundraising goals of the YMCA,” Wilson said. He estimates it will take four to six months to build the pool.
“We invite the public to make donations on line, or drop them off at the desk. Any amount will help,” Wilson said. Donations can also be mailed to CLC YMCA PO Box 787, Damariscotta, 04543.
Anyone with questions or suggestions for the new pool may call Wilson at 563-3477 or direct question to him by email at cwilson@clcymca.org.
