Sen. Ossoff delivering resources to upgrade Albany YMCA
ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany Area YMCA is set to have some big changes coming to their Oglethorpe Boulevard building. And, these changes come courtesy of money that was lobbied by Senator Jon Ossoff.
Senator Ossoff toured the Albany Area YMCA just over a year ago.
And, according to Albany president, Dan Gillan, that visit in 2023 helped get things in motion to where last week, nearly a quarter of a million dollars was allocated for the Albany YMCA.
“…He was so impressed. He was touched by the impact of the YMCA in the community that he thought, ‘we could help you make a difference here.’ So, he connected me with his staff. And, through that connection, we were able to apply for the 2024 congressionally directed spending,” said Dan Gillan, President, Albany Area YMCA.
According to Dan, the two areas that the Albany Area YMCA is looking to upgrade is their ventilation in the basketball gym…
And, the pipe system for the pool, both of which have been unchanged since the 1960s.
“…Since 1963. In the summertime, they’re hot, in the winter, they’re cold, because there’s been no HVAC. So, that is a gamechanger for the YMCA in this community. Secondly, the indoor pool. The plumbing for the indoor pool was built in 1963; the plumbing is the original plumbing. We’re going to be able to replace that plumbing. And again, that’s a game changer for the peoiple who use the pool,” said Gillan.
The decision for the funding in Washington was thanks to a bipartisan agreement…
And, for Dan and the surrounding community, it means that much more.
“What he did on our behalf, for the citizens of Albany, Dougherty county, the Albany area. What he did was substantial. Because what he did was recognize a need and he said, ‘we can do something about that,'” said Gillan.
But, it means more than anything for the people who walk through those front doors.
“The people who come in these doors and play ball here, it’s a safe place. It’s a place moms and dads pay for memberships for their children to be members here, and play ball here. If it wasn’t for these basketball courts, if it wasn’t for the pool, where people come to swim, swim recreationally, where would they be? I’ll tell you, a lot of the kids would be out on the streets,” said Gillan.
As the Albany YMCA gets set to go over the plans for the changes to the building, they’re thankful for Senator Ossoff and those in Washington to keep a community hub like this going strong.
Dan says the Albany Area YMCA plans to work with local contractors once the funding is officially in their hands to begin work on upgrading the center.
Brian Roche reporting.
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