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The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley engaged in a formal study to determine whether the former Woodhaven Site, on Floyd Avenue, was a feasible location and move from its 50-year location on West Bloomfield Street.
An independent third party was hired to do a market study in April, 2018. P, B, & A conducted the professional study to determine the need and support for a new Y in the new location, which would be within walking distance to Griffiss Business & Technology Park, Rome Free Academy, and Mohawk Valley Community College.
The Market Study came back very positive in April 2018 from P, B & A,
Several meetings were scheduled with Bonacio Construction Company, who submitted the RFP for the housing and retail site development on the east side of the Woodhaven Property. It was discussed how the two projects would benefit each other and the community.
The YMCA hired the services of Gro Development who designs YMCAs across the country to provide schematic, concept designs for a new, state-of-the-art YMCA in that location. GRO Development met with local community members, City representatives, Bonacio Construction, the YMCA Board of Directors, and staff to gather input in designing a new facility.
The YMCA engaged Mohawk Valley Edge to discuss Griffiss Park and the needs and wants from the employees working there. Combined with the City of Rome’s strategic planning, surveys, community forums, and Edge’s input, the Y learned the needs of the 6,000 employees who work on Griffiss Business Park, 60% of which do not live in Rome. The Y became the hub of the development and the centerpiece for recruitment of residents.
A Program Committee was formed, made up of Rome members and some community partners in January of 2019. The committee was scheduled to meet on six occasions with the last meeting being December 11th of this year.
Y management and any program committee member, who wanted to attend, took a tour of the Lockport YMCA on May 8, 2019 to see the new facility which opened in October 2018. It’s comparable to the size and scope we’re looking at for our new facility.
The Y management team went on a field trip to tour some of the completed projects done by Bonacio Construction in the Saratoga area on May 21, 2019.
YMCA leadership met with MVCC to discuss the project and future collaborations with the college and the Y. A Memorandum of Understanding is in process and forthcoming.
August 2019 Gro finished its building design, reflective of the community’s input, current membership, and input from potential new members.
Y leadership met with the Administrator CEO of Rome Hospital and some of hospital Key Leaders to discus partnerships and future collaborations on programming. Things like diabetes, cancer treatment and pool therapy classes were discussed.
The YMCA created a Building Committee, made up of YMCA board members and construction professionals, with the purpose of interviewing Construction Managers who would serve as the head contractor for the project. Four primarily local companies were interviewed, and Syracuse-based YMCA leadership held two member informational meetings on October 29th and November 6, 2019 at the Rome Y to share updates on the project and answer questions regarding the current facility’s plans and layout the plans for the new Y.
The early budget estimates for the new YMCA are approximately $18.5 million for a 54,000 square foot facility on 6.5 acres of land. Room has been accounted for in the form of expansion possibilities.
The YMCA was the recipient of a grant from NYS CFA for $2,000,000. This grant is a reimbursable grant and would arrive at the end of the project.
The YMCA is engaged in an aggressive capital fund raising campaign to raise the total budget for the project.
