CEO of the Lancaster Family YMCA Jeff Kenderdine spoke to the Rotary Club of Lancaster, Wednesday afternoon.
He provided an overview of the organiation’s mission and where it’s headed in the future.
Construction is underway on a new $13 million, three-story, 42,000-square foot city facility. The groundbreaking for that project occurred on July 29th, Kenderdine said.
In addition to having “physical and aerobic fitness rooms, a full gymnasium, a natatorium, an indoor walking/running track, a child watch area, youth and community rooms, and administrative offices,” he stressed that the new building will be “green” and more energy efficient.
“Something as simple as the luminescence of the paint means you need fewer light fixtures,” he said.
He also explained that better insulation reduces the need for large HVAC systems and cuts costs.
The new city center is located along Harrisburg Ave. between clipper stadium and the arts hotel.
Although parking at the new facility will be about the same as at the current one, he explained that the YMCA has an understanding with Clipper Magaine Stadium that YMCA visitors may use the lot and that stadium visitors may use the YMCA lot if necessary.
Kenderdine said the arrangement works well because the YMCA and the stadium tend to receive visitors at opposite times of day.
The YMCA is also constructing an $11 million Lampeter-Strasburg branch.
“The Lampeter-Strasburg facility will include all the amenities you’d expect of a typical YMCA branch,” Kenderdine said. The 53-acre site will include a gym, indoor and outdoor pool, indoor track, and a wellness center.
Both the new city center and the Lampeter-Strasburg branch are anticipated to open in “mid to late summer 2009,” he said.
Kenderdine also briefly described the YMCA’s day and resident camp for children called Camp Shand, located north of the turnpike near Cornwall in southern Lebanon County.
At Camp Shand, kids of all ages participate in camping and outdoor activities, including archery, fishing, team building, arts and crafts, hiking, boating, swimming, nature studies, and more.
Kenderdine said that people can help by becoming a member of the YMCA, volunteering some of their time, or by making a donation. In response to a question, he shared that the current cost to become an adult member is $39 per month for an individual or $63 per month for a family membership.
He stressed that the 154-year-old YMCA continues to be focused on the impact they can make in the lives of children who benefit from the presence of such a mentoring, positive organization in the community.
Jeff Kenderdine is a graduate of Manheim Township High School and the University of Delaware, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Health & Physical Education. He has worked with the Lancaster YMCA for 18 years and has been CEO for 4 of those years.
For more information about the Lancaster YMCA, visit http://www.lancasterymca.org
