Family Expansion Newsletter Vol. 1 - January 4, 2020

A New Year, a New Us

We're delighted to report our progress in activating the long-planned $16M Family Center Expansion with a regular newsletter to mark the evolution of the new space.

With construction underway, we plan to finish in 16 to 18 months, and be fully operational by late 2021. This new phase in our Y’s development will allow us to serve many more children in need of aquatic safety and sports training, including growing our YMCA Mariners Swim Team and Gators Basketball teams. We’ll also serve many more adult fitness members, master swimmers and community partners in our expanded facility.

While our Y’s expansion is a big undertaking in many ways, it is precisely what our community needs and deserves. Thank you for being a part of our efforts to serve our community for decades to come. Stay tuned for our regular newsletter filled with updates on our project, funds raised and photos as we build!

Read on to see all that we have to look forward to in January 2020!
Build by the Numbers
This isn't your childhood "paint by numbers" kit, but rather a fun look at the numbers it takes to build our expansion.
Team Spotlight
Steve Jensen- Chair, Building Committee interview.
Nailed It!
You may be familiar with LEGO pieces, but real life building materials are quite different!
Capital Campaign Update
Have a Question?
Soil movement on 12/24/2019.
Build by the Numbers
16-18 Months... Construction time for Family Center Expansion with expectation of project completion in first quarter of 2021. As with all construction projects, numerous phases are contingent upon favorable weather.

11 feet... How deep our "hole in the ground" is currently.

16,000 cubic yards... The total amount of soil expected to be excavated for the new pool and gymnasium.

60 tandem dump trucks... Approximate number of trucks that have been transporting excess soil offsite on a daily basis.
Team Spotlight
(L-R) Scot Guempel- Board Chair, Gary Javorsky- Wm. Blanchard Project Manager, Diane Mann- Madison Area YMCA President/CEO, Steve Jensen- Board Member and Chair of the Building Committee.
Steve Jensen - Chair, Building Committee
Steve Jensen of Florham Park is a Madison Area YMCA Board Member who has been serving on our Board since May 2016.

Currently, Steve is serving as Chair of the Building Committee for the Board of Directors. He has his finger on the pulse of our Family Center Expansion bringing construction expertise to the committee as a fourth-generation builder, owner and founder of Jensen Construction Company.
"Over the past several weeks, thousands of cubic yards of soil has been excavated for the pouring of concrete footings which the structural components of the building foundation will sit," said Steve. "Upon completion of necessary structural work along the existing Gymnastic Center exterior wall in January, the focus will then shift from mass excavation of soil to the pouring of concrete footings. The first concrete footings will be for the new Gymnasium footings adjacent to our Gymnastics center.”
 
Whether you have a toddler looking up in awe of all the heavy machinery in the former soccer field, or if you are taller than the excavator's backhoe scoop, the enthusiasm for witnessing the next step in construction is evident.
 
Steve continues "Our construction manager Wm. Blanchard and Company, has a dedicated, experienced and resourceful team on site consisting of Project Manager Gary Javorsky, Construction Superintendent John Schneider and Leanne Oehlke Administrative Assistant overseeing job site activities. Wm. Blanchard’s field team, Y Senior Management and our building committee of Board members Scot Gumpel, Art Powell, Kevin Smith and myself meet bi-weekly to monitor construction progress and address pertinent issues that arise. Considering the amount of rainy weather we have had this fall, Blanchard and team have been making some considerable progress on the project. We all look forward to getting the foundation completely out of the ground and hope for some mild winter weather going forward.” 
 
We appreciate your continued support of this project and realize that construction activities are only a temporary inconvenience but will become a permanent improvement to our facility for membership to enjoy for many years.
 
Steve will continue to share pictures of construction progress, and we will share them with membership in future newsletters.

Capital Expansion Steering Committee Members
Art Powell, Chair
Steve Jensen, Building Committee Chair
David Blackwell
Michael Caulfield
Deborah Fineman
Steve Goldstein
Scot Guempel
Amie Herman
Jean King
Sharon Kunas
Georgeanne Limbach
Lisa Lyng
Diane Mann
Kevin R. Smith
What's That and How Does That Fit Into The Plan?
Nailed It!
We are right at the point in our construction plan between excavation/soil movement and concrete/masonry walls/pool structure. In other words, we're ready for soil nailing!

Soil nailing is a process by which grouted, tension-resisting steel nails are used to reinforce soil. In order to excavate next to the building where the existing Gymnastics Center and Kids Central are located, this soil nails system will be needed to reinforce an excavated area between the outer foundation wall (where the Gymnastics Center ends) and the inner foundation wall (where Kids Central ends). It is expected that this part of the construction will start January 6!

A soil nail is a huge steel rod that looks a lot like a common wood screw. There is a fastener on one end and the other end is drilled into the soil on an angle and into a wall. The size (length/width) and shape of a soil nail is as unique as the building itself as it is designed specifically for the framework it is being used for. Think of the soil nail as a structural component of a building that maintains lateral movement to support a wall.
The expansion general timeline graphic above is accurate as of 1/3/19 and is subject to change. Updates will be provided as needed.
Soil nailing can be noisy and cause vibrations to be felt within the building when the drilling and grouting takes place. Noise will likely be heard between the hours of 7-10AM in the following areas: Kids Central, the Gymnastics Center, the Pool and Basketball Gymnasium. Should the noise be particularly loud for our youngest members, Kids Central will be relocated to the Craft Room, Hubbard Conference Room or Teen Center. Look to our website for daily updates. The good news is that, weather permitting, soil nailing should be completed in approximately two weeks!
There's Never Been A Better Time to Build a Better US!
Capital Campaign Update

The Madison Area YMCA Our Community Our Future Campaign is an opportunity to make a difference in the life of your family, and the community as a whole now and for years to come. Together, we can leave a legacy for future generations, just as community members of the past made our current facility possible. Please join us in supporting this important community project.

We are happy to report we have raised $7.4 million to date. Thank you to our many generous donors!
Have a Question?
Ask us!
Please send any questions or ideas related to the Family Center Expansion newsletter to [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!
*This information is accurate as of 1/3/19 and is subject to change. Updates will be provided as needed.
TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A BETTER US
Recognizing the needs of our members and neighbors, and the challenges and limitations of our current facility, the Madison Area YMCA has launched a community fundraising campaign to expand our Y and to continue our mission of providing financial assistance to those who need us. With your help, we will provide additional services to encourage a healthy and active community. Together, we will connect neighbors and families, strengthening the social bonds that promote understanding. Through your generosity, the YMCA mission will reach more people in our community, making sure we can say “yes” today and in the future. For more information about financial assistance or to make a tax-deductible donation , please call 973-822-YMCA (9622) or visit us at madisonareaymca.org .
MADISON AREA YMCA madisonareaymca.org