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For Immediate Release

Senator Lloyd Smucker
YMCA City Center
September 23, 2009

It would be appropriate to have Carly Simon singing "Anticipation" in the background, for this is one of the most widely anticipated moments for area residents.

There were happy faces all around when the groundbreaking for this project was held.  Today, we top even that level of enthusiasm as we are able to say: Let the fun begin.

A well-conceived project is now well done, an important building block for our community.

The result is more than an architectural achievement, blending with a corridor on the rise.  We have here a functional, family-friendly facility.  The Y has always been a place where distinctions disappear, where people of different backgrounds and interests come together for enjoyment, for opportunity, for personal improvement.  Under one green roof, we can look to the physical, recreational, social, instructional, and nutritional needs of young and old.

A lot of youth programs these days are structured to be competitive, with winning the goal.  Here, things are built around participation, so the playing is the key.  There is no cutdown day at the Y; every day is encouragement day.

When you look at the programs offered, the services provided, and the number of people and groups who will use it, the Y is the indispensable heart of a healthy and thriving community.

This is a community success, chalked up by all those who had a hand in the planning, those who were involved in the fundraising, and all those who contributed time, talent, and dollars.  It is a good lesson from the community to the kids, for we set our goal high, and then demonstrated the determination and teamwork needed to realize the goal.

Healthy bodies and healthy minds give us all a healthy outlook on the future.