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Former Wilmerding Y to Reopen as Community Center
By Richard Finch Jr.
The Tube City Almanac
January 22, 2019
Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
The Wilmerding YMCA was expanded in 2006 at a cost of $750,000. (Photo copyright Penner & Associates.)
The former Wilmerding YMCA is scheduled to re-open early this year as the new Wilmerding Community Center, Inc., according to Peter McGinty, the center’s executive director.
The center, located on Ice Plant Hill Road, features a fitness center, swimming pool, child care day camps and the Silver Sneakers program.
At Wednesday's meeting of the North Versailles Twp. commissioners, McGinty said the new community center will need the support of all of the area communities.
“That’s why I’m here at North Versailles,” McGinty told the commissioners. “I met with the school district, I spoke with the East Allegheny Business Association and met with (state Sen.) Jim Brewster and (state Rep. Joe) Markosek.”
The center will be applying for funds from the state and working on additional fundraising as well, he said.
The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh closed the Wilmerding Y in August 2018 as a result of the Y's reorganization in federal bankruptcy court, which began last May.
“We formed a corporation to undertake the process of reopening what was the YMCA, after the YMCA of Pittsburgh moved out of the facility,” McGinty said. “We anticipate opening the facility in full capacity sometime late March or early April.”
One of the programs the community has missed is the Silver Sneakers program, which provides fitness classes for older adults. McGinty called it “a component of what this community really needs and desires.”
Wilmerding Borough owns the building and will lease the facility to the community center. McGinty said the center applied for federal tax-exempt, charitable status under 501(c)(3) of the tax code.
“We expect to have that (status) very shortly, so we can accept donations,” McGinty said.
McGinty said the borough will use the building as collateral to help with equipment, the pool will be repaired, and a parking lot lease is being worked out.
“Adult membership fees are expected to be about $30 per month, which is very competitive to what it was, and will include (fitness) classes and so forth,” he said.
“We’re excited that we can bring the facility back (open) to the community,” McGinty said.
Richard Finch Jr. is a freelance writer who covers news from McKeesport Area School District and North Versailles Twp. for Tube City Almanac. He may be reached at finchr43@gmail.com.
Originally published January 22, 2019.
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