A safe space to laugh, play and connect: SRYMCA Kicks-Off Intergenerational Wellness Capital Campaign

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Regional YMCA (SRYMCA) launched the public phase of their Capital Campaign on Friday, May 5, at their Saratoga Springs branch located on West Avenue. YMCA staff, members, major donors, volunteers and community partners gathered for a morning kick-off celebration, followed by a tour of the project’s construction site.

This project officially broke ground last June, and attendees of Friday’s public kickoff event were able to tour the construction site to envision a renewed, vibrant and connected intergenerational wellness hub. The Y’s expanded facilities will include a new Wellness Center, housing several spaces for weight training, group exercise classes, athletic training and chronic disease prevention programming. 

A new Gymnasium will help accommodate the growing demand for pickleball leagues, summer day camp, youth sports and before and after school programming. The new space will also include a new Youth Adventure Center; an indoor play space with a Saratoga/horse racing theme. Parents may use this space for supervised play for children 6 weeks to 10 years, enabling more families to take advantage of the Y.

The idea to expand its services through a capital campaign developed last year when the Saratoga Regional Y and the Saratoga Senior Center partnered up for the project’s first phase. 

The Senior Center, in need of a larger space to provide for its ever-growing senior population, will move onto the Saratoga Springs YMCA’s West Avenue campus into a new 14,500 square-foot home. The campus’ new Shared Intergenerational Lobby will connect the Y and the Senior Center, creating a central meeting space for active older adults to easily access the valuable resources that both nonprofits offer.

To begin development on this capital project, a generous lead gift of $3M was donated last year by Bill and Susan Dake and Stewart’s Shops. The Charles R. Wood Foundation has also challenged the community and made a matching grant of $300,000 to support this endeavor. This grant’s purpose is to encourage local community members to join their support of this capital project and uplift the YMCA’s mission to be a community space for all ages to build healthy minds, bodies and spirits.

These private dollars have made a significant impact on the campaign; to date, the Saratoga Regional Y has raised 76% towards its $8.9M goal. Now, the Y is asking its community for support, and to consider donating towards the remaining $2M. Gifts of any amount make an impact and will help ensure that the YMCA will have the space and resources to answer the needs of the Saratoga and surrounding community for another 150 years.

To be a part of the Y’s transformation, please contact Scott Clark, CEO, at 518-583-9622, ext. 106 or at scott.clark@srymca.org, or visit srymca.org/main/capital-campaign to learn more.