Residents are trying to build a state-of-the-art facility YMCA in Putnam County.
Preliminary plans for the Y and recent articles are below.

RECENT ARTICLES

• A YMCA for Putnam:  Plan to start programs this fall a smart one 
  THE JOURNAL NEWS, Aug. 4, 2001, Editorial 
  As planning continues to nail down the future of a YMCA for Putnam, programs for school-age children already will be offered this fall at two sites — a smart move to begin confirming, and filling, recreation and program needs, while showing the community what a full-fledged Y could do for it.

• YMCA Considering Route 6 Property
  THE JOURNAL NEWS, Feb. 12, 2001
  The day after voters approved selling town-owned property to Paul Camarda, the local developer had a long list of return telephone calls to make.
  One message was from Gary Kozak, president and CEO of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, which is working with Putnam County residents to set up an Eastern Putnam County YMCA branch

• YMCA's Agree to share Putnam THE JOURNAL NEWS December 22, 2000
  "The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut and the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester, which have been embroiled in a turf war over whose territory should include Putnam County, announced Wednesday that they have agreed to share the population of about 92,000."
  

• Putnam tables vote on YMCA JOURNAL NEWS December 6, 2000
  "Citing confusion about what has become an apparent turf war between two YMCAs that want to serve Putnam County residents, the Legislature last night tabled a vote that would have given one of them $15,000 for a needs-assessment study in the region."

• 2 rival YMCA groups want to serve Putnam THE JOURNAL NEWS December 5, 2000
  "The YMCA of the USA is intervening in a conflict between two rival Y groups — one from Westchester and the other from Connecticut — that are both laying claim to the Putnam County population."

• Putnam may spend $15G on YMCA study THE JOURNAL NEWS November 29, 2000
  " The Putnam County Legislature is considering spending $15,000 to help the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut study whether residents want a Y in the county."
  
• Western Connecticut YMCA to expand into Putnam Putnam Courier July 27, 2000
  "Gary Kozak, president and chief executive officer of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, met with a group of Putnam residents last week to discuss the possibility of a Y locating in eastern Putnam County."

Plans are being considered to build a state-of-the-art facility YMCA in Putnam County.

All YMCAs are different because all communities have different needs. They are required by the national constitution to pay annual dues, to refrain from discrimination and to support the YMCA mission. All other decisions are local choices, including programs offered, staffing and style of operation. Please join us in deciding the future of the Putnam County YMCA.

The Eastern Putnam County YMCA will be a branch of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut.

The current site that is being considered is on the 17 acres that the Town Of Carmel owns on Route 6, in the Hamlet of Carmel.  This site is considered ideal because it has sewer and water, is on an area of Route that can best accommodate the traffic, is near Route 84 and is centrally located between the towns of Patterson, Southeast, Kent and Carmel.

Developer Paul Camarda has made an offer to purchase the town-owned and surrounding property he has a purchase contract for, and to donate the land needed for the Y.   Preliminary discussions with the Town Board are underway.

E-mail us if you would like to help to bring the Y to Putnam.