Kittanning YMCA closes one door, but opens another

KITTANNING -- The YMCA at 138 N. Water St. has provided countless memories for area families for more than half a century.

Today, it will close its doors for the last time as the staff prepares for the grand opening of the new Richard G. Snyder YMCA campus in less than two weeks.

When asked about what the old building has meant to people, many begin to answer by saying they grew up there, or their kids grew up there.

Robert E. Bower, 89, of West Kittanning has fond memories of bringing his kids to the Y to swim, of watching his granddaughter Maggie perform gymnastics and of playing basketball in the gymnasium with his grandson Benjamin.

"It (the Y) was a big part of our life," said Bower. "When I was a kid, I only had the alleys to play in."

Bower grew up in Ford City and said he began playing basketball as a child during a time when there was a basket in every alley. He said the mud made it difficult to dribble the ball, so he and his friends would shake out bags of wood chips on the ground to create a base to play on until they churned everything to mud again.

He played basketball for Ford City High School until he graduated in 1940. His passion persisted throughout his lifetime and he competed in numerous basketball tournaments at the Y over the years.

Bower, who shoots two-handed set shots, said "the first time in my life I was ever double teamed, I was 62."

He sank several shots in the gym of the old Y as staff members packed up exercise and computer equipment to be moved to the new facility farther up North Water Street. The walls and ceiling showed bare spots where some of the plaster had fallen away.

According to a document provided by the Y called a "History of the Armstrong County YMCA," the Kittanning 180 Club was founded in 1947 to raise funds for a community project. Amberson Bauer asked the group to help found the YMCA in 1955. The club agreed, and donated their entire fund of $30,500 to help buy the J.M. Clayland home for the Y.

And in 1958, the Y began construction of an addition to house the pool, exercise room and gym.

Now, almost 60 years later, director Gary Miller said the board has received an offer to buy the building from the Y.

"The trustees are reviewing it and we will let the public know soon," said Miller, adding that the offer was made by someone locally. The building was appraised at $180,000, he said.

Miller said even though the building will close for business today, area residents will have a chance to walk through the building one more time at an official closing day.

However, everyone's focus right now is on the new facility and its grand opening.

A dedication ceremony for the new Richard G. Snyder YMCA campus will be May 25 at 10 a.m.

At that time, people will be able to tour the facility and have questions answered by staff, said Miller. The new Y will be open for regular business at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29.

In the meantime, lifeguards have been training in the facility's new aquatic center, the stained-glass window from the old building has been fitted in the chapel and flowering pear trees are being planted as part of a memory arboretum.

Families and organizations can purchase a tree in honor or memory of a loved one for $150, which includes a certificate and plaque.

Bower, who turns 90 at the end of the month, was given a tree by his family as part of an early birthday surprise. The Bowers, along with other local families, are planning to plant their tree on the new campus grounds today -- on the very day that the old Y building closes up.

Bower said he is looking forward to checking out the new Y and watching family and friends play basketball in the gym.

"I'll have to open it up for a couple of shots," he said.