The Mathews Family YMCA is on the last leg of its quest for funds to build its new facility at Hudgins, and donation letters recently went out asking Mathews County residents to help “close the gap.”
Having raised $1.98 million of the $2.2 million needed for the project from private donors and foundations over the past few years, the Y is now $200,000 shy of the funds needed, said the letter. Although the goal had been set at $2.1 million as recently as February, YMCA director Sheila Pillath, said that the original figure did not include an extra $100,000 needed to upgrade the building’s storm rating.
Dick Phillips, who is in charge of fundraising for the building project, said that the site engineering survey has been submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for approval of the project’s stormwater management plan, and that, while DEQ has raised a few issues, “we don’t expect show stoppers.” Although he hopes to break ground on the new facility before the end of the year, Phillips said the project can’t go forward “until they give their blessing.”
The new facility will continue to serve the dual purpose of providing programs for its members and of serving as the Mathews County Parks and Recreation Department, said Phillips.
In addition, thanks to additional funding provided by Mathews County, the Y will also serve as a refuge for residents during and after severe weather events. As designed, it is expected to withstand winds up to 135 mph.
Phillips said the Y is also excited about a partnership with Sentara Rehabilitation, which will lease space at the Y for a rehab unit for people who want to obtain those services closer to home. He said that the Y is working on a grant program to help elderly people continue to use the facility for longer-term rehab after their insurance coverage has run out.
On the capital campaign thus far, Phillips said that people have been “amazingly generous,” and that most of the money has been raised locally, including in-kind gifts such as land clearing at the building site. He said that donation checks since the public campaign letters went out have ranged from $500 to $10, with most around $25.
“That’s important,” he said. “It’s buy-in. People feel that they’re part of the new Y—they’ve contributed to it.”
Part-time residents, in particular, “have really stepped up,” said Phillips. “We should be very thankful to all the folks from Richmond and other locations who have vacation homes in Mathews. I can’t say enough about their generosity.”
Phillips said the project has been very rewarding for him personally.
“I couldn’t be happier,” he said.