The
Dow Bay Area Family Y is on the move to a new downtown Bay City location that will be bigger, better, and more state-of-the-art than the existing building. By this time next summer, officials are hoping the new facility will give the downtown a business boost too.
The $13.2 million project, now under construction on the west side of Washington Avenue between 10th and 11th streets, is due to open in July 2011. It will replace the more than 50-year-old building on North Madison Avenue.
"Obviously, the hope is that this will generate more interest in the waterfront area," says Joy Buchanan, project spokesperson. "It's just going to bring a lot more people downtown."
Organizers still need to raise about $2 million more for the project, but the amount of money raised so far allows the project to move forward. The hope is to have the structure built and enclosed by November.
The current building, which is "seriously in need of repair," does not have air conditioning, Buchanan says. With all the stairs, it's also not easily accessible for the disabled.
The new 96,400-square-foot building will be more accessible to everyone in the community. And it will not only have air conditioning, but it also will have a larger pool, larger exercise rooms, basketball courts, better equipment, meeting room space, and more room for health classes.
"Across the board, it's going to be bigger and better than what we have now," she says.
Writer: Jenny Cromie
Source: Dow Bay Area Family Y, Joy Buchanan
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.