https://archive.triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburgs-century-old-ymca-reopens-after-makeover/
Greensburg's century-old YMCA reopens after makeover
Evan Sanders | Trib Total Media
Frank Mesich, of Greensburg, gets in his daily weight lifting exercises at the recently renovated weight room inside the Greensburg YMCA on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014.
Greensburg's century-old YMCA has reopened after a makeover with a new look and new equipment.
It was shut down for 10 days starting in late August for a deep cleaning and major renovations. Flooring was replaced, walls were painted and exercise equipment was purchased and installed.
The renovations cost about $84,000, $52,000 of which was spent on exercise equipment and $20,000 was used for the new flooring. The remainder paid for various repairs and improvements.
Most of the renovations focused on the cardio, Cybex and weight rooms on the ground floor, which were rearranged to establish a more open space.
“The difference is like night and day. It's so much nicer in there,” said Greensburg resident and YMCA patron Kent Watson.
The landmark structure at 101 S. Maple Ave. has long been in need of improvement, according to CEO George O'Brien. It has gone without a major renovation since the early 1990s.
During the closure from Aug. 23 until Sept. 2, the staff and volunteers cleaned every room and made the scheduled improvements.
In addition to the improvements to the gym areas and the painting of several other rooms, the plumbing and tile were redone in the locker rooms.
“I think it's good,” said YMCA member Tom Carna-han of Greensburg. “They got a bunch of new equipment. It's just a more wide open space than what it was.”
Although the major renovations are complete, there is more work to be done, according to O'Brien. Next year, minor improvements will be made to the swimming pool area.
The YMCA is raising money to rebuild the front porch, which has fallen into disrepair, at an estimated cost of about $100,000, O'Brien said.
The porch will look the same as the one that adorned the building a century ago. But it will have a heated walkway.
“We want to celebrate the heritage of the Greensburg Y by taking it to its original appearance, but with the modern conveniences,” O'Brien said.
The 67,000-square-foot building originally was started as a YMCA, and its staff is trying to make sure it stays that way for a long time.
“This building will always be a YMCA,” O'Brien said.
Jacob Tierney is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-836-6646 or jtierney@tribweb.com.
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