CLARION – The Clarion County Planning Commission approved a new plan for the proposed YMCA building at its Wednesday meeting.
A preliminary plan was approved by the planning commission in June of last year but after more consideration by project engineers, the new plan was submitted for the panel’s approval.
The new plan calls for a 90-degree rotation of the building and property that would move the building’s main entrance, parking lot and a planned soccer field.
“We believe the new design will result in a cutting-edge building,” said Jesse Kelley, branch director of the Clarion County YMCA.
The new building will also be slightly smaller than what was originally planned.
Rick Totes, an engineer from the EADS Group, described the new plan as very closely related to the original, noting there are only minimal changes.
The new plan does not eliminate any of the essential components that make up a full-service YMCA, Kelley stressed.
Still included in the building project are a pool, full-size gymnasium, an indoor walking track, a wellness center, a weight room, two multipurpose rooms, an outdoor sports field and separate locker rooms for males and females.
“The pool is still the same size, if not a little larger,” said Kelley.
The new plan will leave a smaller footprint, said Kelley.
The changes were made to eliminate extra “earth work” that would require leveling of the ground where the proposed building would be set, Kelley said.
“Any time there’s bulldozers pushing dirt around, that costs money,” said Kelley. And he’d rather spend that money on the building itself, he said.
The new plan will save money without cutting any corners, said Kelley. This is important because the project is still awaiting almost $1 million of the projected $8.1 million needed to complete the building.
“The community stepped up in a major way,” said Kelley. The grassroots fundraising campaign has brought in more than $7 million from businesses, groups and individuals, Kelley said. Now he’s hoping the project can get a much-needed boost from state grants.
“We can’t move forward without outside funding,” said Kelley.
“We only have one chance to do this, and we want to do it right,” Kelley said.
In addition to the approval of the new building plan, the planning commission also approved a plan for a bike lane near the proposed facility.
He said plans for a groundbreaking event will be arranged once the committee hears from the state about the grants.
The new YMCA will be located on 7 acres of donated land overlooking the Clarion Oaks Golf Course near Route 62 and Interstate 80.
The Clarion YMCA is part of the Scenic Rivers YMCA Association which also includes Oil City and Camp Coffman.
