CLEARFIELD – It took 54 weeks to bring nearly nine years of planning to fruition, and on Friday, the hard work was celebrated. The Clearfield YMCA celebrated its grand (re)opening with members of the public and officials in attendance.
The $4.3 million project includes the addition of a new 6-lane competition indoor swimming pool, a new full-sized gymnasium, new locker rooms, offices, community meeting room and much-needed handicapped accessibility via the installation of an elevator.Â
Master of Ceremonies Mark Breakey thanked all gathered and involved for their support with the project. Board of Directors President Michael Matten expressed thanks as well.
“Clearfield Community, without you, this would not be here today.”
He stated that they Y still needed the public’s support to carry on.
Also on hand, Clearfield County Commissioners John Sobel and Mark McCracken presented a $10,000 check to the Y.
Sen. Joseph Scarnati also addressed those gathered. Scarnati helped secure state funding for the project through two R-CAP grants.
” A community that comes together with goals … will succeed,’ said Scarnati. He added that the community should feel proud for what it accomplished.
Scarnati said that the new YMCA complex puts downtown Clearfield above other downtowns across the commonwealth. He also challenged the community to look to the future to continue revitalization.
“Look at your downtown … what do we need to do next,” asked Scarnati. “I’d like to be a part of it.”
DCED Secretary C. Alan was next to speak.
“It’s hard to believe that 54 weeks ago, we stood here at this site and broke ground.”
Walker gave those gathered a brief history lesson of theYMCA.  It began in 1901 in the Weaver House and its purpose was to provide recreational activities to the youth moving to what was a booming, industrial town. In 1921, the YMCA added a pool, the first indoor pool in Clearfield.Â
He also touched on the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression and the effects they had on the area. He noted that the YMCA survived, and even survived a fire in 1959. He said that after the fire community leaders came together and the YMCA was rebuilt.
He also discussed the Vision 2020 organization, and their goal to save the community and turn it around. Studies were done and action was taken. As part of the Clearfield YMCA’s renaissance, the Vision 2020 group met with Scarnati. Walker said Scarnati was behind the project and that the senator obtained two R-Cap grants to help.
Walker urged the community to continue to look toward the future and the opportunities royalties from Marcellus Shale will bring.
“Communities that fail to plan, plan to fail,” said Walker.
