Looking ahead to Parker YMCA
Excavation is expected to start this week on the $4.2 million, 25,000-square-foot facility in Crossridge Park at Townline Road and Parkview Drive in Milton.
The new YMCA, which could be open by next October, will be named after the Parker family that for many decades helped put Janesville on the map. Descendants of George S. Parker Sr., who founded the pen company in 1888 that bore his name, offered a $1 million challenge grant to buoy the YMCA of Northern Rock County’s capital campaign.
Do you look forward to this new facility? Is it reasonable that it won’t include a swimming pool but is being designed for the potential of adding one later?
We’ll share our perspectives in our editorial Tuesday.
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Nov 13, 2012 at 12:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
A pool would be a great edition, but it is unrealistic to include it in the current plans. $3 million is a lot of money; especially on top of $4.2 million. I am glad they are waiting on adding the pool. I’m sure a cheaper alternative to the $3 million pool has been entertained, but adding a cheap pool really adds no value to the Y or to the community. Wait until the money is available and build a great pool. I think that the YMCA is displaying a good sense if fiscal responsibility by not adding a pool.
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I made mention of this in the discussion section of first Parker YMCA article, but I feel that it needs to be said again: The fact that $4.2 million has been raised in this economic climate is great news for Rock County and a good indicator that the local economy may be starting to come around. The fact that the YMCA is able to expand is a great sign for that organization.
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I am really looking forward to the Parker YMCA. I am currently a member and I realize how nice their current facility is compared to other area YMCAs. The YMCA has been a part of Janesville dating back to 1858; the current Downtown Y location has been there since 1926 (old building on Milwaukee opened 1895). Where one person may see a building as old and decrepit, another sees it as well maintained (albeit ever changing) piece of Janesville history.
Nov 13, 2012 at 11:55 a.m.
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I so wish it had a pool so I didn't have to go into Janesville for that. I am glad that one has the separate lap pool, but I feel very conspicuous in there, so I haven't used it much. (Only one in there, I am not a great swimmer and feel weird when the life guard only has me to watch...I know that sounds weird but it is what it is.)
Nov 13, 2012 at 9:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
I'm looking forward to the new YMCA. I live near the site and it will be very convenient compared to driving to the central YMCA. I think the YMCA should have opted for a pool. I know they were in talks with the high school as a potential cost partner, but it fell through. I really think this area needs a place during cold weather for people to go and swim. The central YMCA has an awesome splash pool for kids, which would have been a great addition for the new YMCA. However, I'm happy that we are at least getting something in the way of a better facility in this area, so I don't have much room for complaint.
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