Tag Archives: Westport Family Y

Y Withdraws Sewer Application

Posted on April 9, 2012 | 43 comments

This morning’s most interesting press release:

The Westport Weston Family Y announced today that it has withdrawn the pending application with the Town of Westport to connect its planned new Y facility at Mahackeno Outdoor Center to the Town’s municipal sanitary sewer system.

The Family Y had previously gained local and state approval to install and operate a septic system that would safely treat wastewater from the new Y facility on site. Citing environmental and economic benefits, in late January the Family Y filed an application with the Town to connect its planned new Y to the Town’s municipal sanitary sewer system.

“We filed the application in response to input that we had received throughout the public approval process from many members of the community, including local officials, expressing a preference for a sewer connection rather than an on-site septic system,” said Rob Reeves, Family Y CEO.

Since the application was filed, it has become apparent that the Family Y’s application has raised consideration of issues broader than anticipated.

In 1953 -- when Stevan Dohanos drew this Saturday Evening Post cover at Camp Mahackeno -- few folks worried about either sewers or septic systems.

“Under the present circumstances we do not feel it is in the interest of the Family Y – our 5,500 members and the volunteers who lead our association – to pursue the application further,” said Reeves. “Simply put, we need to focus on our greatest priorities: meeting our funding goals and keeping our construction plans and timeline on track as we continue to meet the needs of our community with our many programs and services.”

“We have every confidence in the septic system as designed and approved and will proceed with our efforts to build what really matters – a sustainable new Y for our community – in accordance with all the required approvals that are now in place,” said Reeves.

The Y is still approximately $5 million short of the $36 million needed by May 11 to reach its financial and construction deadlines. The press released noted that if sufficient funds are raised, construction will be in October on Phase I of the new Y facility. The 55,000-square foot building will include a lap pool and family/teaching pool; wellness center; multi-purpose gym; 3 group fitness studios; a child watch/kids’ adventure gym area; 5 locker rooms, and other amenities.

43 Comments

Posted in People, YMCA

Tagged ,

Peter Green: Renaissance Stained Glass Man

Posted on April 5, 2012 | 5 comments

For classic suits and classy jewelry, Westporters head to Mitchells. If you’re looking for music, it’s Sally’s Place.

But where do you go for all your custom stained glass needs?

Peter Green's stained glass makes a great window if you want privacy in your tub.

Try Renaissance Studio. It’s a bit off the beaten path — in the back of a handsome home on Imperial Avenue — but it’s a one-stop shop for designing, creating, repairing and restoring stained (and clear leaded) glass windows.

Plus very cool glass etching, bowl making, and anything else  your parents told you you’d never make a living doing.

Owner/artisan Peter Green keeps a low profile. He’s been in town since 1969, but last week was the first time I’d heard of him. True, I don’t have a lot of stained glass needs, but still…

Peter — who grew up in Yorktown Heights, and always had an artistic bent — started his Westport business in an old fieldstone ice weighing station next to Nash’s Pond. He then moved to Saugatuck Avenue.

Peter Green and a small sample of his work, outside his studio.

His current digs — the house dates back to 1890 — are very cool. Peter designed all 3 floors to his specs. He’s got a wood shop, a wall where he draws his designs, welding equipment, and hundreds of brushes and jars of pulverized glass.

So who buys stained glass?

Nope — not churches. It’s mostly homeowners, he says, looking to spiff up an entryway, skylight or room divider — or creatively make sure no one from outside can peer into a bathroom. Wine cellars are big too.

When he worked near Nash’s Pond, Peter would close down at midday for a swim. Now he swims at the Y. He hopes to donate a work for their new pool.

“I’d love to give back to one of the few nurturing towns in the country willing and able to make my dreamed-of life become a reality,” he says. Peter is inspired by the philanthropy of Westporters like the Mitchell and Paul Newman families.

Just as his work inspires many others. Even if we’ve never heard Peter Green’s name.

5 Comments

Posted in Arts, Local business, People, YMCA

Tagged , , , ,

Breaking News — Westport Y Pleads For Funds

Posted on March 21, 2012 | 131 comments

Moments ago, Westport Weston Family Y CEO Rob Reeves sent this strongly worded email:

The Family Y held a Public Presentation on Monday night. We have a $6.2 million gap to goal for the project to build a new Family Y at Mahackeno. We have a May 14th deadline to raise a substantial amount of the remaining funds, or the project may come to a halt. After this many years I would hate to see that happen.

But read on, we have some good news to share!

This spring is crunch time for the Westport Y.

Since we have made the $6 million gap public last week, we have had a wonderful response from several donors. Once we get their final okay, we expect to be reporting close to $1 million has been raised in the last several weeks. That would put our gap now under $5 million, which is great news.

Thank you to many who have supported our campaign to date. If anyone would like to discuss helping support the project to keep our 88-year-old organization alive to serve the communities of Westport and Weston for another 88 years, please let me know. All gifts are welcome, and I will meet to discuss our plans with anyone who is interested.

Thank you for your consideration. I hope you can’t imagine not having a Y here to serve the community like we do, and would be willing to discuss how you can help!

That’s some letter. The news of the Y’s funding shortfall has the town buzzing. It’s also revived talk — dormant for a couple of years — of the Y staying downtown, perhaps at a property like the Imperial Avenue parking lot.

What can the Y do to raise nearly $5 million in less than 2 months? Is its scaled-down (2-phase) building plan for the Mahackeno property helpful? Is a downtown site a reality? What would Westport be like if the Y folds? Click “Comments” below.

131 Comments

Posted in Downtown, YMCA

Tagged ,

Y Unveils Building And Sewer Plans

Posted on February 16, 2012 | 47 comments

Hard on the heels of the Westport Y’s plan to seek permission to hook up to the town’s sewer, the Y today announced more plans involving construction of its new facility at Mahackeno.

Construction of the new Family Y is scheduled to begin in October. It starts with a 55,000-square foot main building that includes a competitive lap pool and family/teaching pool; a wellness center, gymnasium, 3 fitness studios, “child watch area” and 5 locker rooms.

“As more dollars are given, we’ll be able to expand our new Family Y and add the rest of the features envisioned in the original design for our Mahackeno campus,” says Bonnie Strittmatter, president of the board of directors.

An artist's rendering of the new Westport Y.

The public can view plans and designs for the facility at an informational meeting next Thursday Wednesday (February 23 22, 7 p.m. at the Y).

“While we regret that we can’t construct the whole facility at the same time, we are convinced that it is the most fiscally responsible thing to do,” says Jim Marpe, chairman of the board of trustees.

“Not only does it make sense economically, it also gives us greater flexibility going forward to meet the evolving needs of the community we’ve served for nearly a century.”

Turner Construction — which built the new Staples High School, Bedford Middle Schoo and the Senior Center, and renovated the Westport Country Playhouse — will be the Y’s primary site development and construction partner.

Also involved: Robert A.M. Stern Architects, and Land-Tech Consultants.

And about that sewer: The Y has filed an application with the town to connect the new facility to the municipal sanitary sewer system. The Y previously gained local and state approval to install and operate a septic system to treat wastewater from the new facility on site.

The Board of Selectmen — acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority —  meets in a special session next Monday (February 27, 7 p.m., Town Hall) to discuss the request for a sewer extension to Mahackeno.

47 Comments

Posted in YMCA

Tagged , , ,

It’s Now Allen Raymond Lane

Posted on January 23, 2012 | 7 comments

It’s not easy telling an 89-year-old something he doesn’t already know.

But Allen Raymond was genuinely surprised yesterday afternoon. The Westport Y told the former board president it’s renaming the entry road to Mahackeno — the future site of the Y itself — “Allen Raymond Lane.”

The announcement — and presentation of an actual road sign — came at a party celebrating the trustee emeritus’ 89th birthday.

Allen Raymond: The man, and his sign. (Photo by Scott Smith)

Celebrants noted that the year 1923 marked 2 very special events: the opening of the Y in downtown Westport, and the birth of Allen Raymond.

“For the past 88 years, these 2 ‘local institutions’ have remained steadfast in their commitment and dedication to our community and its residents,” Y officials said. “Allen truly embodies the heart and soul of Westport and the Family Y.”

The Y is only one of Raymond’s many civic commitments. In the 1950s he was instrumental in the town’s purchase of Longshore, and development as a town park. He’s devoted countless hours months years serving the Library, Westport Historical Society and Earthplace, among many other organizations.

But it was the Y that honored him yesterday.

Allen Raymond

Rob Reeves — who also knows Raymond through the Green’s Farms Congregational Church and Rotary — credits him with “getting me up to speed quickly” when Reeves took over as the Y’s CEO.

“Allen told me a lot about the history of Westport, and the Y,” Reeves says. “He brought me around, and introduced me to people the Y has been important to. He was such an important connection.”

But despite Raymond’s fondness for (and many links) to history, he is hardly stuck in the past. “He speaks often about how change is good,” Reeves notes. “He’s not afraid of moving forward.”

Renaming Sunny Lane “Allen Raymond Lane” is perfectly good change, Reeves adds.

“Allen has said that when he was a kid, his goal was to live in Westport.

“He not only did that — he also made Westport better in so many ways.

“We’re honored to be able to give something back to him, in some small way, for all he’s done for the Y, and for Westport.”

Click below for a YouTube video: Y chairman Jim Marpe surprising Allen Raymond with the news of his new lane.

7 Comments

Posted in Library, Longshore, Looking back, Organizations, People, Places, YMCA

Tagged , , , , , ,

The Y Has Already Moved

Posted on January 14, 2012 | 13 comments

To a new logo, that is.

It’s part of the national Y’s “new brand strategy,” which includes the 1st updated logo in 43 years, and “a new focus on three core areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”

Ta-da!

It replaces, of course:

Too much excitement for one day, I know.

But — for those who care about such things — here is the back story to this spectacular new step forward in logo designs. All quotes are guaranteed verbatim, from the Westport YMCA:

The Family Y has rolled out this new look in stages over the past several months, installing the new logo and signage throughout our historic home in downtown Westport. We’re in the process of updating our communications materials, team uniforms and business documents.

Says Family Y CEO Rob Reeves: “ As a local affiliate of the Y, the Westport Weston Family Y is excited about the new brand strategy and the opportunity to engage more people in the areas of healthy living, social responsibility and youth development. There are many exciting changes taking place at our own Family Y, and this new strategy is perfectly aligned with our ongoing efforts to build something that truly matters – a sustainable new home at our 32-acre Mahackeno Outdoor Center.”

The Y’s former logo had been in place since 1967, and was the organization’s 6th since its inception 160 years ago. The refreshed logo, with its multiple color options and new, contemporary look, better reflects the vibrancy of the Y and the diversity of the 10,000 communities it serves across the country.

So, “06880” readers: What do you think?

13 Comments

Posted in YMCA

Tagged

Post-Fire, Saugatuck Nursery School Still Thrives

Posted on December 31, 2011 | 1 comment

The pre-Thanksgiving fire at Saugatuck Congregational Church did more than inflict heavy damage on the 178-year-0ld building, and force relocation of services for the foreseeable future.

It also drove 35 children, ages 2 to 5, from their “home.”

That home is the Saugatuck Nursery School. Since its founding 43 years ago, it has served youngsters from Westport and surrounding towns — some of them minorities, some from less privileged circumstances than Westporters.

On April 4, 1968 Florence James Shook was enjoying a Tougaloo College choir concert at Carnegie Hall. She heard the news that Rev. Martin Luther King had just been killed. Driving home, she vowed to do something. She soon helped create the Saugatuck Nursery School, to carry on his dream.

This past October, Florence died. The month before, the nursery school had added a 3rd classroom, an $80,000 project — what director Ellen DeHuff calls “the beautiful Purple Room.”

On November 20 it — and the other school classrooms and offices — suffered smoke and water damage. Gone too were books, toys, arts and crafts supplies, computers — “everything you need to run a pre-school,” DeHuff says.

Almost immediately, the Westport Y offered space: 3 childcare classrooms that were not in use. In what DeHuff calls “Extreme Pre-School Makeover,” her staff of 10 spent several hours brightening the rooms for their kids.

The Y also provided equipment. Many Westporters offered books, toys and furniture — but there is no place to store them. (DeHuff suggested cash donations, so equipment can be bought later.)

The children use the Y gym. They also walk across the street to Christ & Holy Trinity Church, enjoying its playground for hour a day.

The nursery school staff is now working to gain church and town approval to use modular equipment in the church parking lot.

“It’s different, but the kids are loving it,” DeHuff says of the changes.

But the fire was “devastating” to the staff.

Still, she says, there are benefits to the disaster. Beyond the help offered by the community, there’s this.

“We realize more than ever that it’s not the building that makes Saugatuck Nursery School what it is,” says De Huff. “It’s the families and staff.”

These are challenging days for us. But together, we’re all making the pre-school work.”

And work very, very well.

1 Comment

Posted in Children, Downtown, People, religion, YMCA

Tagged , , , ,

The Giving Tree

Posted on December 4, 2011 | 1 comment

The Christmas tree in the Westport YMCA lobby does not look particularly imposing.

Pushed up against a wall, it’s average-size.  The silver decorations and twinkly lights are pretty basic.

But look closer, because this is a special tree.

Pinned to the branches are dozens of tags.  Each bears the wish of a local child whose family faces tough times.

“Girl, 15 years,” says one.  “Gift certificate to Marshall’s.”

“Boy, 6 years,” reads another.  “Mittens or gloves.”

And this simple request:  “Girl, 3 years.  Toy.”

To give a gift for any child on the tree, just bring it to the Y’s front desk by next Monday (December 12).

The Y has endured plenty of controversy recently.  But issues like leaving downtown and the adequacy of Mahackeno’s sewage systems pale in comparison to the simple holiday wishes of local kids in a time of need.

1 Comment

Posted in Children, Economy, YMCA

Tagged

Give To The Good Guys

Posted on November 30, 2011 | Comments Off on Give To The Good Guys

In the blizzard of upcoming holiday events, there’s one that might be overlooked.

But it shouldn’t be.

Tomorrow (Thursday, December 1, from 5-7:30 p.m. at Christ & Holy Trinity Church), the Westport Downtown Merchants Association is sponsoring a “Season of Giving” event.

Sure, there’s the usual ho-ho-ho attractions — refreshments, an ice sculpture, a visit from Santa, music by the Orphenians and Chris Coogan — but the real attraction is a chance to do some good for some great community non-profits.

Many hands will help Westport charities tomorrow.

A variety of organizations — Homes With Hope, the Y, Save the Children and a dozen others — will have booths.  They’ll hand out information — but they’ll also have “wish lists.”  If something strikes your fancy, just donate to the cause.

The Westport Arts Center, for example, has “wishes” ranging from $10 (help install an art exhibit) to $250 (send a kid to summer art camp).

It’s just like real life Christmas (and Hanukkah).  Sometimes you get everything you ask for; sometimes you don’t.  Whatever happens, it never hurts to ask.

The “Season of Giving” is a great idea — and everyone’s a winner.  Our non-profits get a chance to have their wishes filled.  You get a chance do some good for a group you love — or one you never knew about — while having a good time.  And your kids get a chance to learn “the true meaning of Christmas” (or Hanukkah).

PS:  Really want to make a day of it tomorrow?  Head to Town Hall at 4:30 p.m. for the lighting of the (very ecumenical) “town tree.”  Then wander down the hill to the Westport Historical Society, for hot cocoa.  And if you stop in to a store or two on your way to the “Season of Giving” at Christ & Holy Church, I’m sure the downtown merchants won’t mind. 

Comments Off on Give To The Good Guys

Posted in Downtown, Organizations, religion

Tagged , , , , ,

Y Property Q And A

Posted on October 29, 2011 | 6 comments

Bedford Square — developers of the downtown YMCA property and the adjacent parcel at 35 Elm Street — will hold a “roundtable discussion” this Wednesday (November 2, 7-9 p.m.) in the Y’s Bedford Room.

Partners say they and their architects will “clear up any misperceptions and fears about the project, discuss the project’s preliminary design ideas and listen to the community’s questions.”

Light refreshments will be served.  Along with heavy questions.

What will the YMCA and nearby properties look like in the future?

6 Comments

Posted in Downtown, YMCA

Tagged ,