October 2005---Family isolation. Childhood obesity. No safe place to play. These are a few of the problems associated with suburban sprawl and the lack of an active community center.

To help address these problems, the YMCA of Greater Rochester is constructing a new recreational facility in Penfield that will be more than just a place to work out - it will be a place for families and people of all ages to gather and be part of a healthy community.

This YMCA branch is a new and exciting concept in recreational facilities. While Mom and Dad are on the treadmill, they will be able to look out into the pool area and watch their children during a swimming lesson. Instead of working out in a dark and dank gym, members will enjoy maximum natural light and superior ventilation, all in an energy-efficient facility.

The new Eastside Family YMCA will provide the area a significant array of services that don’t currently exist in the vicinity. A local YMCA is often perceived as a quality of life issue for many families and serves as an anchor for the community. This Y is designed to appeal to all members of the populace, including programs for families, teens, single adults and seniors.

Planning
Nearly 20 years ago, the YMCA of Greater Rochester began planning for the Eastside YMCA as part of its strategic plan to serve Monroe and surrounding counties. Existing YMCAs in Webster and Pittsford served their communities well, but residents of Penfield and areas east had to travel a significant distance to either of these facilities. As development and population grew in Penfield and the entire east side of the county, planning began in earnest to build a facility to serve area residents.

The Eastside YMCA is now under construction and is scheduled to open in October of 2006. The facility is centrally located on Route 250 near the intersection of Routes 250 and 441, in the heart of Penfield. The $15 million YMCA will be the largest in the Monroe County area, measuring approximately 69,000 square feet.

Local engineering and architectural firm Passero Associates teamed up with the Canadian design firm Shore, Tilbe, Irwin and Partners to design the new building. Other local firms working on the project include M/E Engineering as Mechanical/Electrical Engineer, Jensen Engineering as Structural Engineer, and LeChase Construction as Construction Manager.

Market research determined that the Route 441 corridor, particularly near Route 250, would be an ideal location for the Eastside YMCA, due to its central location and ease of accessibility. Passero Associates assisted the Y in acquiring the land, with the consent of the Town of Penfield. The new Y is sited on over fifty acres, giving the facility plenty of room for outdoor programs, a future outdoor aquatic center and a possible day camp.

Open Design
The new facility will feature a compelling design and site placement that brings light and an open feeling into nearly every corner of the building. The building will have the feel of a modern lodge complete with a fireplace. Plenty of wood, stone, glass and natural materials are being used in construction. The earth-toned exterior will blend well with the landscape and the surrounding area.

Jeff LaDue, Project Manager for Passero Associates, says, “The Eastside YMCA has been designed to incorporate a unique design aesthetic with state-of-the-art equipment and fitness programs. The building as a whole will be full of light from the use of extensive glazing around the perimeter and above. The spaces are generally open to each other either physically or visually, creating a very open and dynamic space.”

Design improvements have been made based on studies of how members use the recently built Westside Family YMCA in Gates. The Westside YMCA, built in 2004, is a successful facility with many state-of-the art features and a large membership. Designers built on this success by studying how to improve the flow of people in the facility and to ensure that every space was easily accessible.

Accessibility for all is a primary mission of the Eastside Family YMCA. The facility consistently exceeds the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Designers took into consideration not only the needs and requirements of those with disabilities, but studied and implemented the best ways for all members to fully enjoy all that the Y has to offer. Everything from the locker rooms to the pool lifts has been developed with the delight and dignity of the user in mind.

George Romell, President and CEO of YMCA of Greater Rochester, says, “This YMCA branch represents the culmination of all our research and experience, and will be unlike any other YMCA in North America.”

Community Center
The new Eastside Family YMCA features more social space than a typical Y. For example, community areas transition from use by seniors during the day to appeal to teens in the evening. “The facility is meant to be a special place, a gathering spot so that members may feel they are truly part of a worldwide organization,” says Mr. Romell.

This Y will enable members to not only exercise their bodies, but through the creative use of space and programming, the Y hopes to help members strengthen the spirit-mind-body connection.

Features of the new Y include:

• Indoor walking and running track that has views of nearly all the areas of the Y.
• One full-size basketball court and two half-size courts, for a total of six baskets.
• Four-tank pool center including a children's splash pool, a large whirlpool, a recreational pool and a rectangular lap pool.
• A large social gathering and observation area with healthy snack options.
• Wellness and fitness area featuring a separate spinning studio, stretching area, two aerobic exercise studios and exercise machines that have a view of the facility and the out of doors.
• Male and female locker rooms, and a family locker room.
• Child Watch Area, Family Adventure Center, Senior and Teen Center and Teaching Kitchen.
• Two Licensed Child Care Rooms.
• Community Conference Room.

The YMCA of Greater Rochester is projecting that about 15,000 people will join the new Y. Current members of other Rochester YMCA branches will be given the opportunity to upgrade their membership to a Passport level that will enable them to visit any of the local Ys, including the new Eastside facility. The Passport level of membership gives members the ability to get in a workout at the facility near their job at lunch and bring their family to the facility near their home on nights and weekends.

Mark Passero, Vice President for Passero Associates, and a resident of the area, says, “My family and many of our friends and neighbors are very excited to see this YMCA under construction. We’re happy that families in our community will have so many opportunities to be active and to be a part of such an exceptional organization.”

Community support for the Eastside YMCA has been overwhelmingly positive. After a lengthy and thorough approval process with the Town of Penfield, the new facility is anxiously awaited by many in the area. George C. Wiedemer, Penfield Town Supervisor, echoes the voices of many when he says, “Completion of the Eastside YMCA can’t come too soon for Penfield. We’re very excited about the recreational opportunities for our residents in this beautiful new facility, which promises to be the one of the finest YMCAs in the country.”