For 150 years, the Auburn YMCA has proudly served and been a part of this community.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
YMCA staff members, clockwise from left, Senior Director Steve Komanecky, Assistant Aquatic Director Dan Walter, Health and Wellness Director Mena Hansinger, Aquatic Director David Hamilton, Youth Sports Director Jeff Hanno and Associate Executive Director Dorothea Hughes stand on one of the Y’s racquetball courts. Among the programs planned for the Auburn YMCA-WEIU’s 150th anniversary are racquetball, volleyball and basketball tournaments.
YMCA staff members, clockwise from left, Senior Director Steve Komanecky, Assistant Aquatic Director Dan Walter, Health and Wellness Director Mena Hansinger, Aquatic Director David Hamilton, Youth Sports Director Jeff Hanno and Associate Executive Director Dorothea Hughes stand on one of the Y’s racquetball courts. Among the programs planned for the Auburn YMCA-WEIU’s 150th anniversary are racquetball, volleyball and basketball tournaments.
Sunday, Sept. 27, the YMCA will celebrate that history with a 150th birthday party to mark this momentous occasion in the organization’s history.
Dorothea Hughes, associate executive director of the YMCA, said that the celebration has not been limited to one day.
“We have really been doing things to celebrate all year,” Hughes said. “All of 2009 has really been a time to celebrate the history of the Y here in Auburn.”
Throughout the year, there have been historical pictures and articles on display in the Y, as well as articles that have appeared in The Citizen and a display at the Cayuga Museum that looks at the history and evolution of the Y in Auburn.
In the past 150 years, the Y has grown by leaps and bounds. In that time, Hughes said, the Y has had three locations in town, including its present location on William Street.
Each move has allowed the facility to grow and adapt to the needs of the community, an ability which Hughes believes is among the Y’s greatest attributes.
“We change to meet the needs of the community,” Hughes said. “That is really what the Y is all about — meeting the needs of the people we are here to serve. There is not one square inch of our facility right now that is not being used and being used to help serve people.”
Hughes pointed out that the Auburn Y has constantly strived to adapt to meet these kinds of needs.
For example, in the late 1970s and early ’80s, when families with both parents working became more prevalent, the Y was there with day care, nursery school and after-school programs to help parents and offer children a fun and safe environment to learn, play and be active.
A major leap forward was when the YMCA joined forces with WEIU (Women’s Education and Industrial Union) in the 1970s. Hughes said that this not only allowed the facility to grow physically, but also helped to broaden the mission of the Y and the people it could reach. On a national level, Hughes said that the Y as a whole has several unique accomplishments it can hang its hat on.
“The Y created three sports,” Hughes said. “Volleyball, basketball and racquetball were all invented at the Y.”
During the Sept. 27 celebration, participants will have the chance to take part in these activities, which are still going very strong at the Y, as well as numerous other events.
Hughes said that there will be volleyball, basketball and racquetball tournaments, the latter featuring pre-1984 racquets.
The facility will also be busy with jump rope contests, swimming and other games and raffles throughout the day, as well as tours of the facility. All of these events will be free of charge and open to the public.
Hughes said that as the Y has always been dedicated to the community, it was important to open the party up to everyone.
“The Y is here for everyone,” Hughes said. “This is a celebration for everyone. We really wanted it to be something that everyone could enjoy and be a part of.”
Looking towards the future, Hughes hopes that the Y can continue to be a special place for everyone in the community.
“The Y is more than a facility or a place,” Hughes said. “Even if we didn’t have this facility we would find a way to serve the people we serve and to meet their needs. And we hope to continue to do that, to continue to adapt to meet the needs of the people of this community.”
If you go
What: YMCA 150th anniversary celebration
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27
Where: Auburn YMCA-WEIU, 25 William St., Auburn
Cost: Free
Info: Call 253-5304
Dorothea Hughes, associate executive director of the YMCA, said that the celebration has not been limited to one day.
“We have really been doing things to celebrate all year,” Hughes said. “All of 2009 has really been a time to celebrate the history of the Y here in Auburn.”
Throughout the year, there have been historical pictures and articles on display in the Y, as well as articles that have appeared in The Citizen and a display at the Cayuga Museum that looks at the history and evolution of the Y in Auburn.
In the past 150 years, the Y has grown by leaps and bounds. In that time, Hughes said, the Y has had three locations in town, including its present location on William Street.
Each move has allowed the facility to grow and adapt to the needs of the community, an ability which Hughes believes is among the Y’s greatest attributes.
“We change to meet the needs of the community,” Hughes said. “That is really what the Y is all about — meeting the needs of the people we are here to serve. There is not one square inch of our facility right now that is not being used and being used to help serve people.”
Hughes pointed out that the Auburn Y has constantly strived to adapt to meet these kinds of needs.
For example, in the late 1970s and early ’80s, when families with both parents working became more prevalent, the Y was there with day care, nursery school and after-school programs to help parents and offer children a fun and safe environment to learn, play and be active.
A major leap forward was when the YMCA joined forces with WEIU (Women’s Education and Industrial Union) in the 1970s. Hughes said that this not only allowed the facility to grow physically, but also helped to broaden the mission of the Y and the people it could reach. On a national level, Hughes said that the Y as a whole has several unique accomplishments it can hang its hat on.
“The Y created three sports,” Hughes said. “Volleyball, basketball and racquetball were all invented at the Y.”
During the Sept. 27 celebration, participants will have the chance to take part in these activities, which are still going very strong at the Y, as well as numerous other events.
Hughes said that there will be volleyball, basketball and racquetball tournaments, the latter featuring pre-1984 racquets.
The facility will also be busy with jump rope contests, swimming and other games and raffles throughout the day, as well as tours of the facility. All of these events will be free of charge and open to the public.
Hughes said that as the Y has always been dedicated to the community, it was important to open the party up to everyone.
“The Y is here for everyone,” Hughes said. “This is a celebration for everyone. We really wanted it to be something that everyone could enjoy and be a part of.”
Looking towards the future, Hughes hopes that the Y can continue to be a special place for everyone in the community.
“The Y is more than a facility or a place,” Hughes said. “Even if we didn’t have this facility we would find a way to serve the people we serve and to meet their needs. And we hope to continue to do that, to continue to adapt to meet the needs of the people of this community.”
If you go
What: YMCA 150th anniversary celebration
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27
Where: Auburn YMCA-WEIU, 25 William St., Auburn
Cost: Free
Info: Call 253-5304
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vinmeister1 wrote on Sep 20, 2009 9:11 AM: