About 50 community and church volunteers faced punishing heat, thunderstorms and humidity Saturday to help erect a playground at the Greater Palm Harbor YMCA . Randy McElwain Nilsson, executive director of the branch, said the conditions didn't deter anyone. "They were dedicated to the project and wanted to see it through," she said. In its own way, the remnants of Fay seemed to cooperate, with the heaviest rains occurring during the lunch hour and at the end of the day. The playground, built in a day, was the final addition to a $2-million renovation and 10,000-square-foot expansion of the Y at 1600 16th St,, completed a couple of weeks ago.
"It's the icing on the cake," Mandy Griffith, marketing and communications director for the YMCA of the Suncoast, said of the playground. "Now we can serve families that much better because children have a great place to play."
The $35,000 structure, built for 3- to 12-year-olds, has climbers, steps, bars, slides and decks in multi-colored geometric patterns. Two blue shade toppers will help protect children from the sun.
Tyler Gates, 11, couldn't wait.
He worked for hours under the hot August sun, helping to spread mulch and doing other chores "so it will go faster and I can play on it," he said.
Ron Eichelberger and his wife and daughter were among those who showed up about 7 a.m. to help. By 4 p.m., he was soaking wet, the result of an afternoon deluge.
"It feels good in a way," he said. "It helped cool things down a bit."
While some got their workout outdoors, others were seeking fitness inside the renovated 5,700-square-foot wellness center, now twice its original size.
Several ran on treadmills as they viewed Fay's progress on the new flat screen television sets. Others watched the cloud formations through floor-to-ceiling window-walls that face north.
The building opened in October 2004 with 14,000 square feet, but the burgeoning membership of 6,000 meant more room was required.
The original parts of the building were freshened up with new paint and tile. Multi-purpose rooms, a conference room and a massage room were created.
A spacious new group exercise room features automated shades, mirrored walls and a suspended wood floor.
The main entrance was moved to the north side of the building where membership representatives are seated in a Starbucks-like lobby with dark tile floors, tables and a coffee service area. Teens often congregate there after school to do homework or socialize.
A huge stained glass YMCA "John logo" decorates the back wall. It portrays Bible verse John 17:21, welcoming all to the center.
"We never turn anyone away," said Nilsson. "That's especially important in these hard times. Price shouldn't be an issue. We work with everyone and want all to come."
Terri Bryce Reeves can be reached at treeves@tampabay.rr.com.
You're invited
Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting • 5:30 p.m. Sept. 4 • Greater Palm Harbor YMCA, 1600 16th St . • RSVP: (727) 787-9622
News
