Published on Monday, 4 April 2022 16:41
Written by JENIECE ROMAN, New Britain Herald
@JenieceRoman
NEW BRITAIN – The New Britain-Berlin YMCA is slated to receive more than a million dollars in funding for improvements to its facility on High Street.
The facility renovations include air conditioning upgrades and energy efficient window replacement in an attempt to support health safety and implement cost-savings on gas and electricity for the YMCA.
“For many years, the New Britain-Berlin YMCA has provided much-needed services to young people and families in the region, and by partnering with the organization to ensure that their facilities remain in a good-state-of-repair, we can help make sure that they can continue providing these services for many years to come,” Gov. Ned Lamont said.
The YMCA facility on High Street currently has windows that are broken or don’t stay closed, which has made the gymnasium during the winter season as cold inside as it is outside. This means anyone playing basketball or volleyball indoors has to play wearing multiple-layers.
The initiative to provide funding for the facility was led by members of the New Britain legislative delegation which include State Senator Rick Lopes, State Rep. Robert Sanchez, State Rep. Manny Sanchez and State Rep. Peter Tercyak. Lopes said the upgrades will be vital to allow for adults and children to better utilize the facility.
“The YMCA is an essential resource for people of all ages, especially kids, in our area. I’m thankful to Governor Lamont and the members of the State Bond Commission for recognizing how these upgrades to the Y’s facility would allow YMCA to save on energy costs and direct those savings into supporting their work,” Lopes said.
YMCA staff have advocated for the funding which would provide year-round hours of activities and services to children and their families. John Benigni, Meriden-New-Britain-Berlin YMCA, said the funding will significantly impact the families they serve. The YMCA in New Britain provides recreational services including basketball, fitness classes, swimming, and racquetball and child care programs for preschool and school age children.
“At the Y we focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being for all, and inspiring action in our communities. The savings from this project will allow the Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA to change more lives and continue to not turn anyone away for inability to pay,” Benigni said.
Marci Moskal, Branch executive director, New Britain and Berlin YMCA, said the organization works everyday to make a positive impact in the lives of our community members. Moskal said the upgrades will allow them to take even better care of members and do more for our community. The upgrades to air quality in the facility would also help residents in the YMCA’s Hart House Member-In-Residence program, which assists people experiencing health conditions, such as asthma and heart disease.
Located at the High Street facility, Member-In-Residence program provides a safe and affordable housing environment to adult men in need. The program offers a drug and alcohol-free environment, located near grocery, pharmacy, and public transit locations. The program provides participants with a healthy environment to help them move past mistakes and make better life decisions.