Weiner gets $237,000 for Ridgewood YMCA

BY JANO TANTONGCO

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 11:07 AM EDT

As the Ridgewood YMCA building continues its renovations, Congressmember Anthony Weiner dropped by the youth facility bringing a special gift – a check for $237,000.

Weiner and YMCA President Jack Lund toured the Ridgewood YMCA building on Monday, July 13, where the politician made the presentation of the federal funds to help with the reconstruction.

“It’s going to be a very handsome building; it’s starting to take shape,” Lund said.

Opening its doors once again this coming fall, the YMCA facility will maintain the same 23,000-square-feet, but will feature more creative and modern uses for the space through a renovation project. Varying purposes for each space, affordability and appeal to all age groups and cultures are what make this project exciting, noted Lund.

“Everything will be brand new, except for our executives,” said Lund. “We are so grateful to the community and leaders like Congressmember Weiner for their ongoing support of the YMCA as we work to deliver on our promise to the Ridgewood and Glendale community.”

YMCA Executive Director Gregory Maziarz said, “We have a great staff watching the kids, this is a great place for everyone.”

Underscoring the importance of the facility, Weiner noted that the YMCA renovations will help young children access activities that will surround them with positive role models.

Parents can also leave children in Child Watch rooms while they work out – a place where the children will be taken care of and entertained.

“For many, the Ridgewood YMCA serves as a lifeline to the community,” Weiner said.

The youth center will include child-care, a low-cost after-school program for kindergarten through 7th graders and a teen program, which stresses personal development, community responsibility and college preparation.

The building was erected in 1931 as a courthouse, and became a YMCA in 1973.

Lund said that the YMCA has allowed for aggressive growth in greater New York.

They are currently working on a YMCA in the Rockaways, which is slated to open in 2010.

THE COURIER/Photos by Jano Tantongco
Congressmember Anthony Weiner (right) presenting a check for $237,500 to YMCA President Jack Lund (left) and YMCA Executive Director Gregory Maziarz (right) for the expansion and modernization of the Ridgewood YMCA.