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06/02/2021 12:00 AMThe Valley Shore YMCA (VSY) is set to undergo major renovations that should be completed by the beginning of 2022, thanks to lead donor and longtime member Bob Brady.
VSY Executive Director Chris Pallatto said that the building renovation has been discussed behind the scenes for several years. Pallatto said that since the late ‘70s the building has seen about 10 million visits, and that traffic has left some marks.
“I like to say, ‘Imagine what your living room would look like after 10 million visits,’” Pallatto said.
To fund the renovations, Pallatto said the VSY has set a fundraising goal of $5.5 million, $3.5 million of which has already been raised. The Westbrook Foundation contributed $200,000 of that money, but the lead donor on the renovation project was longtime VSY member Brady.
Brady, whose donation amount was unspecified, is the founder of Old Saybrook-based BLR (Business & Legal Resources).
“He’s very passionate about the role of fitness in people’s life,” Pallatto said.
As part of the renovations, Pallatto said the VSY would be redoing the outdoor space on the property. That part of the renovation includes upgrades to the existing pavilion, the addition of a rock-climbing wall, and redoing a basketball court.
Pallatto said that a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been that more people have developed a yearning to be outside, and redoing the outside of the property allows the VSY to offer more outdoor programming to feed that desire. “This is the best way for us to emerge from the pandemic,” said Pallatto.
In addition to the outdoor work, the VSY will also be working on a new wellness center with a goal of opening that building by January 2022. Pallatto said the building would be a cornerstone of the renovations.
“We want it to be a crown jewel of the shoreline for people to come do activities to keep them healthy,” Pallatto said.
The new center will be named in honor of Brady as the Brady Wellness Center.
Brady said he was honored to have the building named after him.
“I’ve been a lifelong member of the Y, as has my father,” Brady said.
As someone who grew up in rural Pennsylvania, Brady said he appreciated the organization’s commitment to helping people live healthy lifestyles regardless of their demographic group or income level.
“The community would be a lot weaker without it,” Brady said.
In order to fund the rest of the VSY renovations, Brady recommitted his donation during the last year. Brady said there is an ongoing challenge for the community to raise $500,000 toward the renovation, a total he would match.
Pallatto explained that while many people assume the national Y association supports local branches, it’s the responsibility of the VSY to raise any needed money on its own.
“We’re an independent YMCA. Everything we do is to meet our community needs,” Pallatto said.
Pallatto stressed that the wellness center is “not just a gym with weights and treadmills” but a building that will offer a wide variety of ways to meet health needs.
“One thing that makes the Y really unique is the ability to serve those with disabilities or chronic diseases. We’re really proud of our partnership with Vista Life Innovations, for example,” said Pallatto.
Pallatto noted that during the height of the pandemic in 2020 the Y was able to serve the community by offering free fitness and health courses online to anyone interested in participating, not just members. Pallatto said the VSY has worked to be an important part of the lives of people of all ages and meeting their needs. “Our goal is to make sure we serve people from three months old to 100 years old,” he said.
All the current renovations have been approved and are just the beginning. Pallatto said that additional renovations are also in the works that will address infrastructure, safety, aesthetics, and family programming upgrades.
“The Town of Westbrook has been really good to work with. It’s a very exciting time for our staff, volunteers, and members,” Pallatto said.