Community Center Project

Project Description

THE COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT – “It Takes a Community to Build a Center”

This plan provides a framework for providing new cultural, recreational and educational opportunities for Yates County residents. Implementation of this plan can result in benefits to persons of all ages and help address identified community needs.

These include:

• New social and recreational opportunities for seniors.
• Positive recreational and athletic opportunities for youth.
• Exercise facilities for all ages.
• New day care options for working parents.
• Attractive meeting rooms for area organizations.
• A facility, attractive to new employees, for local businesses.
• Support for local tourism efforts.
• New opportunities for volunteers.

Vision

The Yates Community Center will be a fully utilized center of civic pride for all who reside in Yates County, creating a space for everyone.

Mission

The mission of Yates Cultural & Recreational Resources, Inc., a not-for-profit community organization, is to enhance the physical and mental well being of Yates County residents by promoting and providing cultural, recreational, athletic, and educational opportunities.

By cooperating with other community and governmental organizations, we will assure implementation and success of a Yates Community Center.

Program Goals

The major focus of YCRR, Inc. is the creation of a Community Center that will provide programs and services for all Yates County residents, their guests, and visitors. The modern facility will include space for activities enjoyed by persons of all ages.

Besides space for staff offices, restrooms and storage, the Center will include:

• Reception area and lounge providing space for a variety of activities for small groups and the exhibition of local arts and crafts
• Game room primarily for youth activities
• Multipurpose activity court (gymnasium) offering basketball, volleyball, running and other active indoor sports
• Meeting room for public seminars and presentations, parties, and courses on such topics as first aid and CPR
• Smaller meeting rooms for community groups, senior activities, and day care
• Aerobic center for individual and group exercise and dance classes
• Fitness room to include free weights and cardio equipment
• A Culinary Arts Center and adjacent dining room for use by seniors for a variety of programs offered by the Office for the Aging, and also for use by other groups for classes as well as social functions such as weddings and other gatherings

Building Description

The Center of approximately 25,000 square feet, located at the 14 acre site donated to YCRR by the Maeske family, will be handicapped accessible with ample parking. With a full time staff, augmented by volunteers, the facility will be utilized by many community organizations for their meetings, programs, and services.

Implementation of the new Community Center requires an active partnership of businesses, individuals, foundations, and government.

Current Status

Yates Cultural & Recreational Resources, Inc., a not-for-profit, 501-c-3, organization currently has:

• Established a 14 member Board of Directors comprised of a cross section of Yates County leaders from business, not-for-profit organizations, education, and government.
• Funding to date has been funded by the Village of Penn Yan, YCRR, Inc., New York State and private supporters.
• Obtained the support of many community organizations that wish to work with the YCRR in creating the Center.
• Completed site analysis for approximately ten locations choosing and securing an approximately 14-acre donated site with excellent access to the schools, hospital, Village and surrounding areas.
• Developed a preliminary program for the utilization of the new Center and the services to be provided.

YCRR, Inc. established a temporary Fitness Center in a leased building located near the future site of the new facility that is self-sustaining and managed by a strong volunteer organization under the direction of the YCRR Project Coordinator, Lisa A. Miller. The facility includes a wide variety of professional grade exercise equipment. Additionally the center is supported by a large membership that continues in anticipation of the new community center’s construction.

In November 2009, our attorney Tiffany Sorgen did the necessary paper work to have us officially use the name Yates Community Center instead of Yates Cultural & Recreational Resources, Inc. The latter is still our official name but our D/B/A name is now Yates Community Center.

Community Center Goals & Objectives

YCRR has established six major goals to help assure the success of the Yates Community Center. Following are these goals and related objectives.

Goal One: Create a focal point for community and civic pride.

Objective: Create a community asset attractive to current and potential residents and current and potential employers.

Goal Two: Provide increased opportunities for organized activities & cultural events

Objective: Improve quality of life through enhanced social, cultural, and recreational offerings, and provide a complete list of community events and activities for all area cultural & recreational groups.

Goal Three: Provide a safe inviting environment for community youth.

Objective: Offer positive recreational. athletic, educational, and cultural opportunities for youth.

Goal Four: Enrich the lives and social opportunities of seniors

Objective: Provide a central meeting place for a variety of senior activities.

Goal Five: Improve the quality of life for adults of all ages.

Objective: Enable adults to be actively involved in programs and activities that are not currently available.

Goal Six: Promote physical wellness.

Objective: Provide opportunities for improved health and conditioning

Projected cost of the project: $3,000,000