A YMCA facility proposed for Agawam will feature standard YMCA programs with the exception of those requiring a gymnasium or pool.
Jason Pirnie, executive director of what will be the Agawam YMCA Wellness and Program Family Center, (left) points out plans and talks with Agawam resident Dan O'Neil during an event at the Agawam Towne Plaza. AGAWAM - Work to get a YMCA facility in the city received a boost as organizers ramped up their membership and fundraising efforts during a festive informational session and family fun event at the former Foodmart Thursday. Festivities included performances by dancers as well as refreshments.
Kristin N. Allard, vice president of development and communications for the YMCA of Greater Springfield, which is sponsoring the project, said Friday that information and charter membership applications were given to hundreds of people who attended the festivities. Going into that event, she said organizers had raised $250,000 of the $500,000 needed to open a center in former grocery store space at Agawam Towne Plaza.
Allard expressed confidence that YMCA boosters will be able to come up with the additional $50,000 needed to start work on physical space soon. She said it is too early to say how much in memberships and donations may come in from Thursday’s event.
The center will be called the Agawam YMCA Wellness and Program Family Center and is the same program proposed two years ago as a Y-Express, according to Jason Pirnie, executive director for the proposed site. The name of the project has changed to represent what will be a focus on the entire family, according to Pirnie.
The facility will offer standard YMCA programs except those requiring a pool or a gymnasium, neither of which will be part of the Agawam project. The YMCA hopes to open the doors of a smaller facility sometime before the end of the year, according to Pirnie.
Plans call for a technology center for youths to learn computer applications as well as an enrichment area for children younger than 10. A wellness center would include free weights and weight machines, men’s and women’s locker rooms and two multipurpose rooms.
Daniel J. O’Neil, 52, was one of the many local residents who saw the festivities Thursday and brought his children to take advantage of the free refreshments offered by the city’s Lions and Rotary clubs.
O’Neil’s twin 9-year-old daughters Paige B. and Summer R. took advantage of the celebration to get slices of watermelon.
“We saw the festivities going on,” O’Neil said. “I just stopped to check out the information. Any activities for kids is good. We need something like this for kids in town.”
About 30 dancers from Academy of Artist Performance kept the crown happy with free-form dance moves in “flash mob” style, a performance that welcomes the audience to move around, too. There was also an appearance by Bugs Bunny and Donald Duck, thanks to Six Flags, as well as performances by a juggler and an acrobat on stilts.
To take out a membership, make a donation or learn more about the proposed facility and the programs, contact Pirnie at (413) 206-5699 or at jpirnie@springfield.org.