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Charleston Gazette-Mail
The YMCA of Kanawha Valley soon will begin a $2.5 million renovation project.
Renovations will be done in multiple areas of the Charleston facility, including locker rooms, the fitness facility, lobby and a multipurpose room.
Scott Depot-based Pray Construction will be completing the project. Silling Architects designed the renovated buildings plan.
Monty Warner, YMCA of Kanawha Valleys CEO, said the project will provide necessary updates to the Charleston facility.
Almost nothing has been done for 30 years, Warner said.
Warner said the lack of updates has led to several issues with the building including structural issues with the walls and cracking tile. He also said the updates will solve cosmetic issues at the facility, which Warner called dated.
Weve been looking for an opportunity to redo the building, Warner said. Theres a lot of growth going on here, and now is the time.
One of the ways the facility is growing is by moving to a new format for its gym. The YMCA announced this week that its fitness area would be open 24 hours a day to members who sign a waiver for those privileges.
The renovations will cause different parts of the facility to move into other areas of the building. The fitness area, which currently is on the east side of the building, will be moved into the large multipurpose room where childrens programs currently are held. The room will be converted into a two-floor space with cardio machines, free weights and machines on the ground floor. The second floor will feature an indoor walking track and new cardio machines.
The area where fitness equipment is held now will be transformed into a multipurpose room for youth programs. The space will be able to be divided into several different areas, creating classrooms for different age groups or activities.
Its going to be somewhere between a school and rec room, Warner said.
The move also will allow parents dropping off and picking up their children to have a separate drop-off area, which Warner said will prevent accidents with kids and people using other facilities in the gym.
Right now, its kind of a disaster waiting to happen, Warner said.
Other renovations include updated locker rooms, a renovated waiting area and additional lanes at the pool.
Construction will start Monday, after a groundbreaking event is held at the facility Friday. Warner said the event will also serve as a reunion for volunteers from board members to Spirit of the Valley winners who have made the project possible.
Were all part of a big family and a big team, Warner said.
Warner said there will be some small inconveniences for members, but it will be worth it for the updated facility.
Reach Ali Schmitz at [email protected], 304-348-4843 or follow @SchmitzMedia on Twitter.
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