YMCA Receives Funding for Outdoor Urban Sports Complex
ONEONTA—The Oneonta Family YMCA announced on Saturday, August 3 that its plan to construct a new Outdoor Urban Sports Complex at the Y, located at 20 Ford Avenue, is officially underway.
A check in the amount of $150,000.00 from Community Financial System Inc., parent company of Community Bank NA, was presented to YMCA representatives the morning of Tuesday, August 6 and will be matched by retired Community Bank board member Brian Wright.
This $300,000.00 will represent the funding needed for the project to begin in the spring, officials said.
According to a press release, “The Outdoor Urban Sports Complex is a transformative project that will reimagine the underutilized space on the side of the Y to create a vibrant sports complex. The facility will feature courts and fields for pickleball, basketball, and soccer, as well as areas for youth programming and fitness activities.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Community Bank and Brian Wright for their tremendous generosity and continued support of the community,” said Frank Russo, executive director of the YMCA. “The new Outdoor Urban Sports Complex will provide our community with a much-needed space for recreation and fitness, fostering a healthy and active lifestyle for people of all ages.”
“As an institution that values strengthening the communities we serve, Community Bank is honored to present this donation to support the Oneonta YMCA’s capital campaign in its efforts to build an outdoor sports complex,” said Dimitar A. Karaivanov, president and chief executive officer.
“Beyond serving the financial needs of our customers, we recognize public health and well-being as equally important to ensuring the community thrives. We’re proud to partner with the YMCA in the creation of this state-of-the-art facility that will promote recreation, wellness and, above all else, togetherness, providing opportunities for all ages to engage in sport and lead a more active lifestyle. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this complex will have in the community,” Karaivanov said.