From staff reports
CLARION – Northwest Savings Bank puts a priority on health and wellness and its recent contribution of $30,000 to the campaign for a new full-service Clarion County YMCA backs up the commitment.
“Supporting health and wellness within the communities we serve is a priority for Northwest,” said Casey O’Toole, assistant vice president and office manager of Northwest bank in Clarion.
“We’re proud to support the Clarion County YMCA in building a facility that will promote an active and healthy lifestyle for current and future generations to come. It really is exciting for this community.”
A total of nearly $11 million has been raised for the project, including a $3 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).
The Clarion YMCA board was waiting for approval of the grant before it finalized planning efforts based on the amount of money raised or committed to develop the final shape of the project, including the building design.
Now working on the final design, an official groundbreaking is still being planned for spring and completion of the project is expected within approximately 12 to 18 months from groundbreaking.
The project is expected to include a regional recreation center with a sports field located on a seven-acre tract easily accessible from Exit 62 off Interstate 80 near the Clarion Oaks golf course. The new facility will triple the size of the current one and will include a pool, a full-size gymnasium, an indoor track, a wellness center, a weight room, multiple purpose rooms, and locker facilities for men, women and families.
“From the beginning of the campaign, this project was a county-wide project,” said Milissa Bauer and Al Lander, campaign co-chairmen. “The Clarion County YMCA has exploded in growth over the past few years, with residents from all over the county turning to the YMCA for its wide variety of social, wellness, educational and recreational programs.”
The YMCA is still accepting contributions; for more information about the campaign and for more information contact Cindy Nave campaign communications coordinator at (814) 226-9722 or clarioncountyymca.org