Staff members, area politicians, civic leaders, donors, and children who are looking forward to using the new facility in 2018 were on hand to celebrate a quarter century of hard work and fundraising that went into the realization of a new, full-service YMCA.

Jesse Kelly, the Clarion YMCA Branch Director, was moved by the efforts of so many in a rural county to get the project done.

“Full service YMCAs are not just popping up in our area,” Kelley said. “For a county of 39,000 people to do this is truly remarkable.”

Kelley also spoke of working with fundraising consultant Ted Woods.

“Ted, thank you so much for your guidance, your work. This wasn’t an area that I was very comfortable with when I became involved.”

“Your help has meant so much to me, we couldn’t have done it without you.”

Capital campaign co-chair Milissa Bauer talked about people’s expectations when she got involved in the fundraising efforts.

“When I became involved, I heard so many say it was impossible, but we didn’t let it stop us. It’s the people who live here that wanted to invest in the children of our county.”

“I was told we’d be lucky to have a hundred donors and maybe raise a few million dollars.”

“And we are very grateful for the efforts of state Senator Scott Hutchinson, state Representative Donna Oberlander and U.S. Congressman Glenn Thompson.”

“They beat the drum in Harrisburg for the Clarion County YMCA.”

Bauer was pleased to report that there were 220 donors who contributed more than $7 million. The YMCA also received a $3 million grant from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

The current and new facility are part of the Scenic Rivers YMCA, which includes the Clarion County YMCA, Oil City YMCA, and Camp Coffman.

Tom Spence, CEO of the Scenic Rivers YMCA, who oversees the facilities in Clarion and Oil City, talked about the decades-long journey that so many had embarked on to reach this point.

“For me, it’s been a 20-year journey since I returned home here. The wait has been worth it,” Spence said.

Oberlander spoke of what she believed to be the real beginning of the project — the hope of doing something good for the community.

“This all started because there was hope and faith in this community to do something special. I’m just pleased to be a part of it,” Oberlander said.

The 35,000-square foot building should be done in 12 to 15 months.

Kelley said the first phase is to get the property pad ready, which will begin in a few weeks. Then, the vertical construction can begin.

The project includes 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 Y, located on Route 322, 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.

The new YMCA will also include a family warm water pool providing lap lanes, recreation, exercise, swimming lessons, aqua aerobics, and other activities.

A rehabilitation partnership will also offer warm water therapy.