After long and detailed negotiations, the Agreement Development Committee succeeded in drafting a groundbreaking partnership between the Lancaster Family YMCA and the four partners of the Lampeter-Strasburg Recreation Commission (Strasburg Borough, Strasburg Township, West Lampeter Township, and the L-S School District).  We would like to thank the members of the ADC, Ray D'Agostino, Dan Herr, Ann Schein, and Phil Wimer, for their hard work and perseverance.  They worked without a model, as, though the YMCA nationwide undertakes many partnerships, this one is unprecedented in scope. 

This unique lease agreement will allow the YMCA, directed by a local branch board, to build and operate a rec center in Village Park in Lampeter.  By the terms of the agreement, 13 of 15 board members will be L-S residents or business owners.  All LSRC programs will be continued, including those currently offered in Strasburg and on the L-S campus.  Residents of L-S will receive a 10% discount on memberships and programming.  The Lampeter-Strasburg High School Swim Team will be based here.  The branch board will be assisted in managing the facility and programs by committees made up of volunteers from the community.

Two important committees are now being formed.  The Building Committee will decide on the design of the facility and work with the architect and engineers to develop construction plans.  The Fundraising Committee will undertake a Capital Campaign to collect the balance of the money needed to finance this project.  Thanks to the work of State Representative Scott Boyd, we have received a $2 million matching grant from the Rendell administration.  But if the building is to include all the amenities the residents have said they want, it will likely cost at least $10 million. 

These two committees will begin their work quickly.  If the fundraising is successful, we could break ground in 2008 and open the doors in 2009.  Until that point, the LSRC will continue unchanged, offering the broad array of programs in sports, the arts, and fun for all ages that Lampeter-Strasburg has come to expect.  Once the building is open, we will finally have a home.  Our staff size will be increased.  We will be able to add new programs.  We will offer memberships in addition to individual programs.  We can make this project a success if we work together, a genuine community effort that will be a real asset to Lampeter-Strasburg.  As an African proverb says, "If you wish to go quickly, go alone.  If you wish to go far, go together."

A unique video rendering of the $9.5 million Lampeter-Strasburg YMCA now under construction in Village Park in Lampeter is available for viewing on YouTube. It can be viewed at the following address: www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5QI9c79ZCo

More than $2 million has been raised from area residents and businesses toward the new facility less than $500,000 away from the total amount needed. The local donations will join $2 million in state funding and $5 million from the YMCA.

The one-story, 38,400-square-foot L-S YMCA will include an indoor competition pool, a gymnasium, a fitness center, an indoor track and classrooms. The building and a six-lane outdoor pool with a water slide will open in summer of 2009.

Anyone who donates $500 or more toward the L-S YMCA project will be listed on a Founder’s Plaque to be featured inside the facility’s lobby. Pledges can be paid over a five-year period. To contribute to this exciting project, contact the YMCA's Beth Grossmann at 397-7474 x 129.