Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour with Assemblymember Jones to Announce $1.3 Million Investment in Plattsburgh YMCA

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Billy Jones at the site of the future upgraded YMCA facility in Plattsburgh to announce a $1.3 million investment in the project.

“The YMCA is a critical resource for so many families, providing childcare, after school activities, fitness classes and even summer camp programs,” said Speaker Heastie. “I spent years advocating for a YMCA for my community because I know the transformative power they have for families, and I am so happy to be here today with Assemblymember Jones to announce this Assembly investment.”

“The Plattsburgh YMCA childcare center, after school program and summers camps are a vital resource for working parents in a childcare desert like the North Country,” said Assemblymember Jones. “A new, state of the art building will be a invaluable asset to the community, and I am extremely grateful to Speaker Heastie for his support and for being here to make this special announcement.”

“We are incredibly humbled by the support from Speaker Heastie and Assemblyman Jones. Our vision for the reimagined state-of-the-art Family YMCA cannot become a reality without our community coming together to make it happen, and the generosity is a perfect example of that,” said Justin Ihne CEO Plattsburgh YMCA.

Today’s announced funding will help the YMCA continue to provide important resources to the Plattsburgh area. The North Country is considered a childcare desert, and the Plattsburgh YMCA’s programs are an essential resource for working families and play a key role the regions workforce development. Within their three different branches in Plattsburgh and Malone, the YMCA has consistently offered childcare, swim lessons, exercise classes and sports for people of all ages and a special summer camp experience at either Camp Akalaka, Jericho, Tapawingo and more with expanded programs in Saranac Lake.

The Plattsburgh YMCA had long been searching for options for a new, state-of-the-art building and found its new home when The University of Vermont Health Network Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) generously offered to gift their pandemic-closed Wellness Center.The ultimate vision for the new Plattsburgh YMCA will include an updated aquatic center, expanded spaces for youth and teens and dedicated areas for gathering, learning and connecting.

Phase one of the project is expected to be funded and begin in the fall of this year. The scope, scale and timing of the full expansion will be determined by the YMCA’s ability to raise funding for phase two.