Forty Year Dream of YMCA Comes True

After four decades, the Shoreline area of south-central Connecticut will have a sparkling new YMCA in June of 2010. Central Connecticut Coast YMCA Soundview Branch Executive Director Doug Shaw reports that the official ground-breaking for the new 35,000 square foot facility will be conducted on Wednesday, June 17th at 11:00 AM at the YMCA site on Route 1, just off Exit 56 on I-95.

The five Shoreline communities of Guilford, Branford, North Branford, Madison and East Haven have sought such a community facility for over forty years, reports Doug Shaw. It is apparent that the community is behind the YMCA development project, as Shaw indicates that $8.2 million has been raised, against a total project cost of $12 million.

Today the YMCA property was BUSY with bulldozers, steam shovels, and dump trucks – it made Richard Scarry’s “Busytown” children’s books come alive! The Soundview Branch facility will feature two pools (warm water and competitive), a wellness center, and a teen and older adult center.

Doug Shaw reports that 34 donors make up 94% of the $8.2 million raised to date. Those 34 gifts range from $25,000 to $2.5 million.

Notably, the Soundview Branch’s annual support campaign, during the capital campaign period has RISEN from $20,000 to $80,000 this year!