Western
Connecticut YMCA to expand into Putnam
| By Eric Gross | July 27, 2000 |
| According to the YMCA official, more than 15,000 people make use of Y facilities in the greater Danbury area each week. |
| CARMEL- A
state-of-the-art YMCA facility may be locating to Putnam County within the next 18 months. 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. "Right now, more than 500 Putnam residents use our facilities in greater Danbury," Mr. Kozak said during an interview at his office in Brookfield. Conn. According to the YMCA official, more than 15,000 people make use of Y facilities in the greater Danbury area each week. Mr. Kozak said the YMCA was a "nondenominational organization. We welcome all members of the community. We are nonprofit and are one of the biggest recipients of federal, state and local funding in the U.S." Mr. Kozak said a Y in Putnam County would build "strong kids, strong families and a strong community. That's our objective. We will be able to bring our mission-related activities to Putnam County by serving everyone in the family from small children to the challenged population as well as senior citizens." Scott Friedman, a resident of Carmel, said preliminary plans for Putnam's state-of-the-art facility include: a Putnam County Performing Arts Theater which will contain a 350-seat auditorium available to local theater groups as well as visiting performing arts entities. Plans also call for an Olympic size lap pool and a youth pool, enrichment programs for both senior citizens and the youth, child day care, a reading room and a library as well as a gymnasium containing exercise facilities, playgrounds and meeting facilities. "All YMCAs are different because all communities have different needs," he said. Mr. Kozak said the location of the Putnam Y would have to be situated close to the people. One site mentioned as a possibility is a 19-acre parcel off Route 6 that is owned by the Town of Carmel. The land is located near the Southeast-Carmel town line and is close to I-84. Supervisor Frank DelCampo expressed optimism for the Y to locate within his town. "It would enhance and work in a collaborative effort with the Carmel recreational program while saving taxpayers money because it is a private enterprise. The property in question must be used for public use. We are currently in the midst of delicate negotiations with three potential buyers," he said. Ed Barnett of Mahopac is another supporter of the YMCA. "Y not," he asked. Mr. Barnett said a YMCA would provide services that government currently does not provide. "A Y is not supported by tax dollars. It can draw money from a varied spectrum of the county be it corporate, government or private citizens. A YMCA can also augment what is already found within Putnam's borders. A Y will also not be a burden on taxpayers which is important. If government runs it, when they need more money, they dig into our pockets. A YMCA doesn't operate in this fashion. It would work for everyone," he said |