Page 52 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 52 Winter 2025

The YMCA is excited to share with the Greater Wallingford
Community its Just Add Water Aquatics Center addition to
the West Side YMCA. We are calling on local residents, busi-
nesses, and supporters to help bring this vision to life. This
state-of-the-art facility is designed to meet a wide range
of needs, from swim lessons, recreational and competitive
swimming to therapeutic and family-friendly aquatic activ-
ities.

At the heart of the Just Add Water campaign is a commit-
ment to making aquatic programs accessible to everyone,
regardless of age or ability. By reaching out for community
support, the YMCA hopes to create a vibrant space where
wellness, safety, and community connection flourish. With
contributions from supporters, the Just Add Water Aquatics
Center can become a vital resource, promoting health, safe-
ty, and fun for years to come. Our Y has been a cornerstone of the community since 1944.
With the planned addition, the YMCA aims to meet the We have woven the story of how individuals and families
learned to swim, prepared for school through early childcare
growing demand for water-based activities and promote programs, were safe and nurtured through before & after
lifelong wellness through swimming and water safety edu- school programs, adopted healthy habits and rehabilitated
cation. By supporting Just Add Water, donors can directly from the discomfort of chronic disease. With two locations in
contribute to a facility that will benefit individuals of all ages Wallingford, it is a hub of wellness where clost to 10,000 mem-
and abilities, fostering a healthier, more connected commu- bers come together to collectively strengthen mind, body and
nity. As with every program and services that the YMCA spirit. Each year, over 13,000 people come through the doors
has to offer, access to this new community attraction will be to connect with their "Y Family" in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.
available to all, regardless of the ability to pay. Today, our community seeks solutions to complex challenges
as individuals pursue the same goals of healthy mind, body and
spirit. The Y will respond with the same unwavering commit-
OUR COMMUNITY ment to community wellness that inspired the establishment
The existing East Side YMCA is the premier aquatics facility of our organization.
in town and supports almost 1,000 individuals per week in
aquatic activities. Both our four lane lap pool as well as our OUR NEED
warm water teaching & therapy pool allow us to develop pro- Usage in both of our pools has consistently outpaced capaci-
grams which serve the ever changing needs of our greater ty throughout the last decade. Currently the YMCA rents pool
community. These pools facilitate our Safety Around Water space from Choate Rosemary Hall to provide program space for
partnership with the Spanish Community of Wallingford and its programs. In addition the growing demand for water ther-
the Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club, in addition to swim lessons for apy classes and the benefits of water exercise has driven the
Benhaven School. The Y is also the home for our nationally vision for this project. This demand continues to increase rap-
recognized competitive Dolphins Swim Team. Our commit- idly, thus requiring a larger aquatics facility whose operations
ment to the aquatics community is wide & deep and we must perform to the highest of standards. Each & every individual
provide a facility that can exceed its expectations. who enters our YMCA facility should have the confidence that
their experience at the Y is nothing short of excellent.
OUR COMMITMENT
Over 80 years ago, the Wallingford Family YMCA opened its OUR FEEDBACK
doors to welcome our community in its collective pursuit of In a recent Community Needs Assessment & Membership Fea-
a healthy lifestyle. Day after day, year after year, we have sibility Study, participants were asked how interested they are
remained steadfast in our commitment to delivering lasting first, in the project and if so, what amenities they would like to
personal and social change to every individual, regardless of see from a list of 10 options. The forecasted impact that this
ability. Pursuits develop and needs evolve, yet our responsi- Aquatics Center addition will attract between 1,500-2,500 new
bility to bring together and strengthen our community has members in the first 12 months. Of the factors tested, those
endured with clarity and purpose. amenities most likely to attract usage are:

52 Wallingford Magazine - Winter 2025