Friday, June 16, 2006

Workers make way for YMCA

Construction of Ketchum-based facility to take 16 months

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By REBECCA MEANY
Express Staff Writer

Excavation crews dug in this week at the Wood River YMCA site at the intersection of Saddle and Warm Springs roads in Ketchum. Photo by David N. Seelig

Heavy equipment has arrived at the Park & Ride lot in Ketchum.

The scene at the corner of Warm Springs and Saddle roads marks the beginning of construction on the Wood River Community YMCA, scheduled for completion in October 2007.

"Step one: dig. They're into that," Program Director Jason Fry said Wednesday.

Excavation could last another two or three weeks.

Workers will then be digging their heels into step two: laying the foundation.

That job could last into fall, with masonry work tentatively scheduled to begin in October, said Teresa Beahen, executive director.

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The approximately 84,000-square-foot facility is designed to include a swimming pool/aquatic center, an ice rink, a fitness center, a climbing wall and a gymnasium. Memberships will be available to the general public.

During construction, or until the YMCA's financial goals are achieved, fund raising will continue.

"We're just shy of $15.5 million," Beahen said. "We would both want and need to be at $18 million for phase one and two, which is the core facility and aquatic center. We'll continue fund raising in phase three, which is the ice rink/event center."

The YMCA will set up a Web cam in the next week or two, so people can monitor construction progress. It will be linked through the YMCA's Web site at www.woodriverymca.org.

People interested in the project can drop into the Y's new offices at 105 Lewis St., Ste. 205, overlooking the Park & Ride lot.

Informational presentations will be offered during "coffee talks," held weekly on Thursdays at 9 a.m. Talks should last approximately 45 minutes.