CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Changing winter weather from treacherous wind chill factors to snow to freezing rain to rain showers caused stress for all of us, but those working outdoors face special challenges and schedule delays.

“The weather has cost us some time,” said Gary Marshall, construction manager for Altoona-based Leonard S. Fiore, Inc., general contractor for the YMCA, “We’ve lost about two weeks on the masonry and six or seven days on concrete.”

Work continues at the new YMCA site at 499 Mayfield Road with three large steel frames that serve as framing for the new steel building and two more were to be installed this week.

“We’re ready to go the rest of the week with a concrete pour and the masons are back laying more block and the steel building erection is planned,” said Marshall.

“The last two weeks have been pretty well nonproductive, but we were able to get a few odds and ends done like unloading tucks and getting stuff ready. They should have lower portion with all steel and framed out as far as the structural steel within the next two weeks.“

If he had to choose between the cold and snow the last two weeks, Marshall would pick snow.

“The snow’s been better than the cold we had the last two weeks.  When the wind chill gets down as low as it does, it’s not even safe to be out there working.  Snow is inconvenient, but it’s actually a little bit better for us than the cold.”

Between 10 and 20 workers are at the site, depending on what’s going on at any time.

After the arrival of the steel building structures, plans are to enclose them and allow heat in the building and proceed with work on the interior.

The new YMCA is located across the road from the Clarion Mall and Clarion Hospital, behind Pizza Hut and the Clarion Federal Credit Union. The YMCA will overlook the Clarion Oaks Golf Course.