The Greensburg YMCA will continue renovating its facilities this year, with about $500,000 worth of projects lined up for the summer.
The most visible improvement is one of the least costly, according to CEO George O'Brien — an indoor playground in the Y's Child Watch area.
Children can stay in the area while their parents swim, work out or run errands. It's become apparent that the facilities need improvement as the Y gets busier, O'Brien said.
“With our membership growing and child care growing and programs growing, we've had to move around quite a bit,” he said.
The Greensburg YMCA has more than 3,500 members, 1,500 more than three years ago.
The playground, along with a new restroom, should make the child care area more appealing, O'Brien said.
The playground likely will be installed in August or September.
Six other projects are planned for the coming months:
• Masonry improvements to the sides and rear of the building's exterior, to match the facade improvements made to the front of the building last year, scheduled to begin next month.
• Upgrades to the security systems, heating and air conditioning at the YMCA's Armory building on North Pennsylvania Avenue. The work likely will begin in June.
• Upgrades to the swimming pool, including thermal heating to keep the pool warm on days so cold the standard water heater can't keep up. The work is tentatively scheduled for August.
• Remodeling of the student housing rooms.
• Addition of benches and planters to the new porch.
• Replacement and restoration of windows.
The YMCA's board of directors will vote on the slate of improvements and finalize the cost for each on Monday, O'Brien said.
The renovations will be funded mainly through grants and donations from foundations and community organizations.
They are an extension of the Greensburg Y's multi-year focus on restoring its 102-year-old building.
Officials have spent about $1 million in the last few years to rebuild the porch, renovate the pool area and make other improvements.
Jacob Tierney is a Tribune-Review staff writer.
