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State Invests $3.8M To Convert Danbury YMCA Into Community Center

DANBURY, Conn. -- The state will invest $3.8 million in support of plans to convert the now-closed YMCA in Danbury into a new community center to serve residents of the area, Gov. Dannel Malloy announced Wednesday at the site with Mayor Mark Boughton. 

Plans are under way to renovate the former YMCA on Boughton Street to convert it into a Boys & Girls Club and community center.

Plans are under way to renovate the former YMCA on Boughton Street to convert it into a Boys & Girls Club and community center.

Photo Credit: File
Plans are underway to renovate the former YMCA on Boughton Street to convert it into a Boys & Girls Club and community center.

Plans are underway to renovate the former YMCA on Boughton Street to convert it into a Boys & Girls Club and community center.

Photo Credit: File

The Danbury Community Facility Collaboration, an alliance made up of local nonprofit entities led by the Connecticut Institute For Communities Inc. and the Danbury War Memorial Association Inc., is working together to purchase the building on Boughton Street in downtown Danbury.

“By investing in this facility that so many depend on, we will ensure that this now-vacant building will be restored into productive reuse and the programs and services that were lost due to the closure of the YMCA will be replaced," Malloy said. 

"We are also creating more opportunities for adults and senior citizens to enjoy recreational activities while providing Danbury’s youth a support system outside of school and opportunities for a brighter, more successful future,” said Malloy. “And, our investment in the War Memorial is equally as important because it will not only serve the community today but will also honor and preserve the legacy of the sacrifices made by our veterans for generations to come.”

The state will commit $3.798 million for the initiative, which will cover about 75 percent of the $5.064 million total project cost.

Part of the plan for cooperation between the two agencies also includes significant renovations to the War Memorial totaling $498,000, and $800,000 for renovations to a building affiliated with the alliance that will house the Head Start early childhood education program. The alliance expects to raise 25 percent of the total project cost – about $1.2 million - from private sources.

“We have been working hard with our state and nonprofit partners to pay tribute to our veterans by making necessary renovations to the War Memorial and get this community center up and running,” said Boughton. “This home for Head Start and the Boys & Girls Club will benefit the entire community.”

The Danbury branch of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut closed over the summer and had been home to the city’s only public recreational pool.

Because Danbury is the largest city in the state without a Boys & Girls Club, CIFC recently proposed purchasing the now-vacant YMCA building, and converting it into a Boys & Girls Club. The purchase and renovation of the YMCA building is expected to cost between $1.5 million and $2 million.

CIFC approached the Danbury War Memorial to collaborate on the effort. Members of the Danbury War Memorial, which also serves as a recreational and educational facility, will be allowed to use the pool at the new Boys & Girls Club.

“I am thrilled to hear that the former YMCA building will once again be used as a place for the community to come together,” said state Rep. Richard A. Smith (R-108). “It is not only great for City Center but also for the entire Danbury area to have a place to go and socialize.”

Read more about the closure of the YMCA here on the Daily Voice.

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