Construction of YMCA addition underway

MATTOON (JG-TC) -- Construction work is continuing on a 5,200-square-foot Wellness Wing addition to the west side of the Mattoon Area Family YMCA building.

YMCA Executive Director Tony Sparks said last week that contractors have started working on the foundation for the two new fitness rooms and are scheduled to begin setting up the steel frames for the addition soon. The addition is set to be completed this spring

Sparks said the approximately 3,000-square-foot room will be used to accommodate large groups in the YMCA's fitness programs. He said the smaller 2,000-square-foot room will be dedicated for use by senior citizens and those who are beginners to exercising regularly.

The YMCA anticipates that there will be opportunities to offer community health programs in the smaller fitness room in partnership with the Sarah Bush Lincoln Center for Healthy Living, Sparks said. Fast walks and other exercise are great defenses against heart disease, he added.

Sparks said the YMCA administration and board found that there is still a need for more space to serve growing membership and program enrollment following the December 2011 completion of its expansion and renovation project.

"We view this an an extension of the project we did three years ago," Sparks said.

Opening the two new fitness rooms will enable the YMCA to repurpose the existingBlue Fitness Studio this spring for permanent use by youth programs, Sparks said. The youth programs have been shuttling back and forth between various rooms in recent years, he said.

Sparks said the YMCA's current expansion and renovation project,budgeted at just under $800,000, also has included enlarging the stretching area in the Wellness Center by 60 percent and upgrading the electrical system there to accommodate new cardio equipment.

Contact Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 217-238-6861.

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Construction of YMCA addition underway