Old Colony YMCA Set for ‘Most Significant Growth Period’ Ever

February 18, 2015 : The Enterprise, by Cody Shepard

A new gymnastics center in Stoughton. Double the program space in East Bridgewater. Two hundred-plus added parking spaces. One hundred-plus new jobs. A brand new facility in Plymouth.

The Old Colony YMCA, with the help of a $12.5 million MassDevelopment bond, is set to undertake one of the organization’s biggest development periods ever.

Several network locations, including Easton, East Bridgewater and Stoughton will receive updates or renovations. In Plymouth, the bond will allow for the creation of a brand new 24,800-square-foot facility, something Old Colony YMCA President and CEO Vincent Marturano says is 35 years in the making.

“This is undoubtedly one of the most significant growth periods in our history,” he said. “It’s a very exciting opportunity.”

The first updates from this bond can already be seen in Easton. The Elm Street location has had about $500,000-600,000 worth of updates to modernize the building. Marturano said the emphasis was bringing the building up to today’s standards by providing expanded programs for children and families.

The next project that’s underway and set to be finished first is the new facility at 237 Wareham Road in Plymouth. The first phase is expected to be finished this year and Marturano said the goal is a September opening.

The first phase will include a 75-child early learning center as well as program space, locker rooms and a health and wellness center. The second phase, which would come in the future with more fundraising, would add two pools and a gymnasium.

“It’s coming along very well,” Marturano said. “It was actually ahead of schedule until all the snow came.”

Stoughton’s Central Street site renovations are a 14-month project that could be finished by the end of 2016. The center courtyard is going to be removed to add about 23,280 square feet to increase program space and parking.

“What was an open court yard will be enclosed and that will be basically become a health and wellness center,” Marturano said. “It will provide double the amount of space for health and wellness activities.”

In East Bridgewater, the Plymouth Street location will be expanded by about 10,000 square feet to accommodate existing membership by shuffling the allocation of space.

The several projects will also create job opportunities. They are expected to result in 32 new jobs and support more than 60 construction jobs.

Marturano said the bond allows the Old Colony YMCA to raise money through fundraising to pay the bond back.

“This is all really to continue to better serve the people who have been a part of our membership,” he said.

Renovation features:

The highlights of the scheduled renovations to several Old Colony YMCA network locations include:

A brand new 24,800-square-foot Plymouth facility, which will eventually house two pools and a gymnasium
A renovated main floor in Stoughton, which will double the amount of space for health and wellness activities
An improved gymnasium in East Bridgewater with a hardwood floor
A family oriented ground level in Stoughton, which will include a gymnastics center for children
Expanded parking in Stoughton (150 spaces) and East Bridgewater (111 spaces)