YMCA Renovations

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Coinciding with the 85th anniversary of the establishment of a YMCA in McCook – and after 30 years in its current location – the Ed Thomas YMCA celebrates the completion of two years of renovations to a number of areas in the building. The work not only updates the YMCA technologically and refreshes the buildingʼs interior, but also continues to demonstrate the organizationʼs commitment to helping the people of McCook and the sur- rounding area reach their individual and col- lected fitness goals. Jeremy Blomstedt/McCook Daily Gazette Renovation A salute to McCook’s YMCA McCook Daily Gazette Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

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A look at the newly renovated Ed Thomas YMCA in McCook Nebraska

Transcript of YMCA Renovations

Page 1: YMCA Renovations

Coinciding with the 85th anniversary of theestablishment of a YMCA in McCook – andafter 30 years in its current location – the EdThomas YMCA celebrates the completion oftwo years of renovations to a number of areasin the building. The work not only updates theYMCA technologically and refreshes thebuildingʼs interior, but also continues todemonstrate the organizationʼs commitmentto helping the people of McCook and the sur-rounding area reach their individual and col-lected fitness goals.

Jeremy Blomstedt/McCook Daily Gazette

RenovationA salute to McCook’s YMCA

McCook Daily GazetteThursday, Oct. 27, 2011

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2 – McCook Daily Gazette YMCA RENOVATION Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

Congratulations on 85 Years

of Service to our Local Communities!

McCook, NE (308)345-2370 Hastings, NE (402)463-2377 W D AW DESIGN ASSOCIATES Consulting Engineers and Architects

www.wdesignea.com

From this...

Generous gifts allow for majorEd Thomas YMCA renovation

ED THOMAS YMCA

McCOOK,Nebraska–Alargerweightroom, a cardio studio, a multi-purposeroom and a cardio center were recentlycompleted at the Ed Thomas YMCA inMcCook.Thiswas the first facility expan-sion project at the Y since it was built in1981, adding about 1,700 square feet ofnew space on the upper and lower levelsof the YMCA building. The total cost ofthe project was a little over $425,000.

This project was made possiblethrough the generous bequests from theseparate estates of Lester & HelenWolfeandWillardW. &MildredH. Troutwine.The benefactors did not earmark theirgifts for a specific purpose, leaving theboard with a great deal of flexibility. TheYMCABoard ofDirectors invested a por-tionof thegifts in theYMCA’spermanentendowment program and designated aportion of the gift to be put to use for theimmediate benefit of the Y'smembers.

Thecardiostudiowasdesignedspecif-ically for fitness classes that will allow theY to discontinue using the middle of the

running/walking track for classes. Thatwill also allow them to offer a larger vari-ety of classes in a private setting.

Theaerobic studiohasabamboo lam-inate floor with a special three quarter ofinchfoampaddingthat thebamboofloatson. The floor was designed to absorb theimpact instead of the impact being ab-sorbedbyclassparticipant’ships,kneesorankles. The south wall was specially de-signed with a sound proof barrier to re-duce the noise from the racquetballcourts. The aerobic studio also has a fan-tasticstereosystemthatwasdesignedandinstalledbyAdamSpanier.Theroomalsooffersall sortsof readilyavailableexerciseequipment.

Thenewweight roomisapproximate-ly one-third larger than the originalweight room.Thenewweight roomhas aspecial floor fromInfinityFlooring that isaninchandaquarter thickwhichwillhelpabsorb sound and impact from theweights. In addition tobeing larger, eightnew pieces of Precor Weight Equipmentwere added.

See RENOVATION Page 3

The original weight room at McCookʼs Ed ThomasYMCA had outlived its usefulness. The roomʼs smallsize was a negative, plus years of dropped weightswere taking their toll on the concrete floor, while theequipment itself was beginning to show its age.

Ed Thomas YMCA

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McCook Daily Gazette YMCA RENOVATION Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 – 3

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The new equipment includes a newleg press, bicep curl, shoulder press,chest press, lateral/pec fly machine anda cable cross over machine. The cablecross over machine has various stationswhich include an assisted dip/chin upstation. A new power rack, a secondbench press, and new set of completeYork Dumbbells were added.

W Design Associates donated a flatscreen television. The YMCA also re-ceived donations for glassless mirrorsfromPlains EquipmentGroup,Don andMarilyn Brandt, Neil and Sarah Gohl,Colton and Sheila Gosick, Jay Johnson,Jeff Shaddock and KCMotor & Electric.

The originalweight roomwas “re-fit-ted” as amulti-purpose roomandwill beavailable for classes and meetings. Theflooring is identical towhatwas installedin the aerobic studio which allows theYMCA to run multiple health and well-ness classes at the same time.

This new space is being used for theSilver Foxx active older adult class andfor our evening strength class, as well asbeing utilized for YMCA meetings plustheY’s afterschool program.A flat screentelevision was donated by Red Willow

Aviationwhich has been a big hit duringLive Y’ers movie times.

The inside of the running track wasrearrangedandadditional PrecorCardioEquipmentwas addedwhich includes: 4treadmills, 4 adaptive motion machinesand 2 elliptical machines.

Hugh Holak, the YMCA buildingcommittee chairman, led the effort to in-stall the bracing needed to install thebank of 5 televisions. The televisionsweredonatedbyMcCookNationalBank,Valmont, Al Cuellar (in memory of hisparents),Golight andFirstCentralBank.The cardio theatre package that was in-stalled allows members to plug in theirearbuds and listen to any of the 5 TVswhile using the cardio equipment.

The YMCA would like to thank all ofthe volunteers that made this projectpossible. Volunteerswere involved fromthe beginning of the planning process.They also helped move and reassembleweight equipment, removed damagedconcrete from the old weight room andbrought in the new concrete. They alsoinstalled the flooring in the new weightroom and put in the beams where thenew TVs are mounted.

Renovation

Thenewweight room is approximately one-third larg-er than the original weight room. Eight new pieces ofPrecorWeightEquipmentwerealsoadded, andaspe-cial 1-1/4 inch-thick floor from Infinity Flooring willhelp absorb sound and impact from the weights.

Ed Thomas YMCA

Continued from Page 2

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4 –McCook Daily Gazette YMCA RENOVATION Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

LORRI SUGHROUEMCCOOK DAILY GAZETTE

McCOOK, Nebraska – As a fitnessinstructor at the Ed Thomas YMCAsince 1981, Michelle Gonzales has seenquite a few changes over the years.

The only class available when thebuilding opened 30 years ago was "Fit-ness Fantasia," which took place at oneend of the basketball gym. This meantthat some classes had to compete withopen gym at the other end of the court- and a stray basketball or two.

"We'd roll in the sound system andeverything," said Gonzales. "It was achallenge to do a fitness class then."

The class was mostly choreographyand "feet didn't really leave the

ground," she explained.Over the years, people wanted

more intense workouts, so new class-es were added. Now, 16 different fit-ness classes are offered several times aweek, beginning at 5:15 a.m. with"A.M. Boot Camp" on Tuesday andThursday or C.A.T.S (Cardio-Abs-Tone-Strength) on Monday, Wednes-day and Friday.

But as time passed, an increasinglack of space at the Y had people al-most stumbling over each other,Michelle recalled.

Exercise classes took place in thecenter of the indoor track area, whichoffered little privacy. Treadmills andelliptical machines were always in de-mand but members often had to wait

to use them. The weight room wassmall, the concrete floor was breakingup due to dropped weights and theequipment itself was getting quite aworkout.

Along with YMCA board members,

Michelle was part of a committee to findout what the Y needed and the best wayto implement it.Theprocessbeganabouttwo years ago, she said, and involved alot of research and input from others.

See UNIFIED Page 5

“We knew whatwe wanted and needed.”

YMCA successfully expands,thanks to unified vision

The expansion of the buildingmeant the first new construc-tion on the exterior of theYMCA since 1981. The outerwalls were completed in win-ter 2010.

Ed Thomas YMCA

VK

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McCook Daily Gazette YMCA RENOVATION Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 – 5

"We had a common vision, and weknew what we had to do to get there,"she said. "We knew what we wantedand needed."

It boiled down to space, new equip-ment and updating the facility.

Generous bequests fromapair of es-tates (Lester and Helen Wolfe andWillard W. and Mildred H. Troatwine)allowed for the kind of significantchanges that the committee had want-ed.

For example, the cardio/aerobicroom–where fitness classes are offered– not only offers a brand new floor that

“gives” with the body, a custom soundsystem to pump out motivating musicand, of course, new equipment, but nowthere’s actually space in the room tostore the gear.

Finally, instead of having to bestashed in different areas throughoutthe building as in previous years, thestate-of-the-art equipment – includingsuch items as cardio barbells, high stepsfor intervals, 28 "bosu" balls (whichcan be used in different ways), 40 sta-bility balls, a gliding disc, exercise tubesandmore– cannowbe kept in the samespace where it will be used.

The YMCA Board and instructorsare continuing to look at other ways toimprove fitness in the community,Gonzales said, and in the future mayoffer obesity-style classes and fitnessprograms for younger kids.

Gonzalesmaintained that staying fitis more than just looking good – it'sabout quality of life.

Regular exercise keeps blood pres-

sure down and strengthens heart activ-ity, reduces stress and strengthensbones and muscles.

Sounds great, but Gonzales keeps itsimple.

"Getting fit is as individual as theperson; forme, it helpsme to be able tokeep up with my grandkids," she said."And I don't want to be worried aboutmedical bills in the future."

Unified

Congratulations

on85years

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“We had a common vision, and we knewwhat we had to do to get there.”

– MICHELLE GONZALES, INSTRUCTOR/FITNESS RENOVATION COMMITTEE MEMBER

Continued from Page 4

Ed Thomas YMCA Ed Thomas YMCA

Ed Thomas YMCA

The old weight room, stripped nearly bare.

A significant number of the 641 youths who participated in the Yʼs“Healthy Kids Day” were able to participate in activities held inthe new multi-purpose room.

Volunteers helped break up the concrete floorin the old weight room, as well as assisted inremoving the pieces and bringing in the newconcrete for what would become the floor forthe new multi-purpose room.

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6 – McCook Daily Gazette YMCA RENOVATION Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

“The expansion and improvements were all designedto keep the community motivated to stay healthy.”

– MIKE GONZALES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“It wasn’t just one person or member.There were people out there who don’t use

the Y who asked, ‘What can we do for you?’”

– KEN ALLEN, YMCA PAST PRESIDENT/BOARD MEMBER

Ed Thomas YMCAEd Thomas YMCA

Ed Thomas YMCA

Ed Thomas YMCA

The new weight room,in its earliest stages.

YMCA members give their time and energy to put together thenew weight room equipment.

A view of the new, largerweight room, equipped with 11new pieces of high-techequipment, glass-less mirrorsand a flat screen TV.

The windows in the new weight room provide a significant amountof natural light, something the old space didnʼt offer.

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JJooiinn UUss FFoorr TThheeJJooiinn UUss FFoorr TThheeJoin Us For TheYMCA Open House

To Celebrate the Completion of our Fitness Renovation Project

Saturday, October 29, 2011 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Tours, class demonstrations, refreshments

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Which was made possible through the generosity of WWiillllaarrdd HH.. aanndd MMiillddrreedd HH.. TTrroouuttwwiinneeMMeemmoorriiaall GGiiffttLLeesstteerr aanndd HHeelleenn WWoollffee MMeemmoorriiaallGGiifftt**Drawing for a Free 1 Year Membership**

Join the Y on Saturday and save $40

Thank you for your dedication to the health of our community Tony Ford, President, Ken Allen, Past President, Jeremy Shaw, President Elect

Darcy Rambali, 1st Vice President, Hugh Holak, 2nd Vice PresidentMary Beth Eisenminger, Secretary, Todd Thieszen, Treasurer

Beverly Dodge, Cindy West, Don Brandt, Tor Olson,Glen Tietz Father Gary Brethour

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802 West C St. McCook, NE 308-345-3580

Quality Lasts Longer Visit our website at www.vogelpaint.com

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We were happy to supply doors and windows for the renovation of the Fitness room

Store Front

Residential

Commercial

Since “1957”

Glass-All Types

Bids & Estimates Given 345-6240

8 – McCook Daily Gazette YMCA RENOVATION Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

LORRI SUGHROUEMCCOOK DAILY GAZETTE

McCOOK, Nebraska – New equipment atthe YMCA makes exercise more accessible,user-friendly - and fun.

Andyoudon'thavetobeahard-corefitnessfanatic to reap thebenefits.

That's because the pieces that were pur-chased are designed to fit individual bodytypes, whether it's someone who's used to

workingout, or someonenew to the scene.Adaptive Motion Trainers (AMT's) ma-

chines are tricked out with the newest tech-nology that adapts the machine to the personinsteadoftheotherwayaround. Withatouchof a button, these high-tech AMT's offers cir-cular running similar to an elliptical; a stairstepmotionand longrunningstrideonan in-cline, similar to cross country skiing.Whichever action the person chooses to useis based on their stride, not a predestinated

stride determined by the machine.One of the four new treadmills allows

downhill running, great for marathon run-ners or those who need a good leg workout.Andworkoutsdon'thave tobeboring, either,with a bank of flat screen TVs that were do-nated.Justplug inyour(ear)budsandyou'reready to go.

The morning crowd seems to prefer news,saidYMCAExecutiveDirectorMikeGonzales,but the food channels are also very popular.

Not your grandparents’ exercise equipmentNew fitness equipment at the Y designed to make your workout more pleasure, less pain

Ed Thomas YMCA

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McCook Daily Gazette YMCA RENOVATION Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 – 9

Congratulations on 85 Years and your new

renovationsL ets Plan For Tom orrow Together

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SSeerrvviiccee!!

“Thanks to very generous bequests, your YMCA Board of Directors has been privilegedto plan and finance much-needed improvements to ourMcCook facility.We believe these updates will continue to build a strong community

and contribute to the health and fitness of our members.”– BEVERLY DODGE, YMCA BOARD MEMBER/FITNESS RENOVATION COMMITTEE MEMBER

Ed Thomas YMCA Ed Thomas YMCA

Ed Thomas YMCAEd Thomas YMCA

The new multi-purpose room is used by a number of different Y-sponsored programs, such as this youth fitness class.

The Silver Foxx program utilizes the new multi-purpose room,which was previously the weight room.

Classes are available at the Y for all ages and fitness levels –and the expanded space in the building means thereʼs room foreveryone who wants to participate.

The new aerobic/cardio studio hosts such fitness programs as“Lighten Up McCook.”

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10 – McCook Daily Gazette YMCA RENOVATION Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

CCOONNGGRRAATTUULLAATTIIOONNSS!!

On 85 years of service to McCook and

surrounding communities

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Ed Thomas YMCA

Ed Thomas YMCAEd Thomas YMCA

Between updates to the parking lot, the game room, the swimming pool and the fitness areas, McCookʼs YMCA has committed a milliondollars to renovations of the building over the last four years, according to the Yʼs past president, Ken Allen.

The YMCAʼs game room, which features games such as pool, is a hotspot for youngermembers of the organization.

One of the features on the new weight roomequipment is this assisted dip/chin up station.

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McCook Daily Gazette YMCA RENOVATION Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 – 11

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D & TELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

OWNERS: TILDEN WEBER TIM BRADLEY FREE ESTIMATES

CCOONNGGRRAATTUULLAATTIIOONNSS!!Ed Thomas YMCA on 85 Years

of service to the community

DD && TTELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

OWNERS: TILDEN WEBER TIM BRADLEY FREE ESTIMATES

(308) 345-1941 McCook, NE 69001

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CCoonnggrraattuullaattiioonnssCongratulations oonn 8855 yyeeaarrsson 85 years

aanndd ccoommpplleettiinngg yyoouurr rreennoovvaattiioonn!!and completing your renovation!

The Ed Thomas YMCA Board of Directorsthanks these vendors for theircontributions to the renovations:

WDesign – Architect and DesignerJL Construction – General Contractor

D & T ElectricGerhold ConcreteVK ElectronicsMatson Drywall

Steve Gonzales ConstructionSamway Floor Covering and Furniture

Diamond VogelEllis Carpet and Flooring Installation

A generous gift from Ed Thomas, pictured here, added to funds raisedby a community drive, allowed McCookʼs YMCA to move from NorrisAvenue to the location it has occupied for the last 30 years. The spirit ofthat three-decades-old community effort lives on in the people who workand carry memberships in the building that bears Thomasʼ name.

Ed Thomas YMCA

The staff and management of the McCook Daily Gazettecongratulates the people of the Ed Thomas YMCA

on the successful completion of their latest renovation.

Marking our 100th year of beingyour source for local news.

McCook Daily Gazette

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Thank You! For choosing us for all your renovation needs,

and allowing us to be a part of your 85th Anniversary!