240 Attend Exeter YMCA Groundbreaking

With the support of the community, the Exeter Area YMCA is one step closer to reality today. Nearly 240 people, including government officials, local business leaders and loyal volunteers and supporters came together to break ground this morning and celebrate the YMCA.

Following a brief welcome and introduction by Southern District YMCA Executive Director, Rob McGregor, Gov. Maggie Hassan spoke about the opportunities that the new Y will offer Exeter and the surrounding communities, “The Y will be a place where all generations will be able to maintain their health and form lasting relationships.”

She continued, “It will be a place where families of similar ages or situations can make great connections, where seniors can find others in town with the same interests and discover they aren’t so lonely. The Y will be a place where as people make connections they will strengthen each other.”

The strength of the Y community was echoed by Paralympic Gold and three-time Silver Medalist, Victoria Arlen. Arlen credits her success at the London 2012 games to the support and training she received from the Y. “The number of people who didn’t believe in me could fill a room. My supporters could fit in a closet – one of my best supporters was the Y. I found a community there that didn’t see my chair as a thing that would hold me back, but as something that would propel me to do something great.” She continued, “At the YMCA, no one is turned away based on a disability, the inability to pay or for just being different. We are all a part of a community. I love Exeter … but to have a Y here, we can all get stronger together.”

The Exeter Area YMCA has been in the works for some time. After a needs assessment from the Town of Exeter, the YMCA volunteer Board of Directors initiated a strategic plan in 2012 to build a full-service YMCA facility that meets the health, wellness and social needs of the community.

According to Southern District YMCA Executive Director, Rob McGregor, “The goal of building a Y is to expand our programs and services to the community beyond YMCA Camp Lincoln and our 16 state-licensed before-and-after school programs. This new facility will bring the community together in a way that will help people connect, find support, and get or stay healthy.”

The new 33,000 square-foot facility – designed by Jewett Construction, Inc. – will feature a lobby and welcome lounge, multi-purpose community room, child watch rooms, youth and teen space, locker rooms, gymnasium, indoor track, wellness center (cardio/weights), and group fitness studios. The facility is expected to open mid-2015.

“This kind of project is very close to my heart,” says Craig Jewett, President of Jewett Construction Co., Inc. “Over the years, we’ve built a number of family-oriented facilities in communities all across the state. It’s rewarding and very important work, and something destined to benefit generations to come.”

A capital campaign is currently underway to raise the necessary funds to construct the first phase of the facility. While the shovels hit the dirt on Tuesday, there is still a need for donations to support the completion of the project. Interested individuals or businesses who would like to contribute to the new facility are encouraged to contact Rhonda Bernstein, Capital Campaign Director, at Rhonda@sdymca.org or 603-770-6033.

To learn more about the new Exeter YMCA, visit sdymca.org.

Photo caption: Dean Ingram, Bank of New Hampshire; Craig Jewett, Jewett Construction Co., Inc.; Russell Dean, Exeter Town Manager; Terry Sullivan, Southern District YMCA Board of Directors, Chair; Victoria Arlen, Paralympic Gold and Silver Medalist; Governor Maggie Hassan; Rob McGregor, Southern District YMCA, Executive Director; Cindy Dominguez, Southern District YMCA Board of Directors, Vice Chair; Chuck Withee, The Provident Bank; Larry Foss, Exeter Area New Car Dealers Association; Gary Blake, Southern District YMCA, Capital Campaign Chair; and Karena Sisco, Bruce Ronayne Hamilton Architects.

Submitted content. Courtesy photo.