Work on Y gym almost done
Published 9:49 pm Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Work on the gymnasium at Suffolk Family YMCA is nearing its end.
![Suffolk Family YMCA leaders Rick Matthews and Robbie Laughton, leaning on a sander, inspect the long-overdue rehabilitation underway of the facility’s gym.](https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2015/06/use-IMG_6592.jpg)
Suffolk Family YMCA leaders Rick Matthews and Robbie Laughton, leaning on a sander, inspect the long-overdue rehabilitation underway of the facility’s gym.
Robbie Laughton, the Y’s senior membership director, said the project — the first extensive renovation since the facility opened — was made possible with a grant “in excess of $50,000” from Birdsong Peanuts.
The gym has been closed for the work since the first week of May. All going to plan, it will reopen on Wednesday, Laughton said.
Laughton said members have been patient during the project. “I think everyone’s anticipating being able to go into a sparkling new gymnasium,” he said.
“It was much easier for us to close the gym down for a short period and get everything done at once as opposed to doing it in phases and having to start and stop the use of the gym.”
Laughton described several elements to the project. The original parquet floor is being “completely sanded and refinished.” The sanding complete, he said, new basketball and volleyball lines will be painted, before the floor is resealed.
Also, the volleyball net, which previously rolled out, will now be inserted directly into the floor via sleeves.
The entire ceiling was repainted and new, energy-efficient LED lights were installed. New insulation and wall panels were put in, Laughton added, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems have been repaired and replaced.
“We are installing brand new fiberglass backboards and rims,” Laughton said. “We have had the roof repaired to stop a lot of leaks.”
Laughton said the roof had been leaking onto the floor, causing issues.
The old insulation was inadequate, he said, “so this will help with energy efficiency,” as will the “state of the art” new LED lights.
“While we have not expanded the square footage of the gym, we have greatly enhanced the usability and functionality,” Laughton said.
“We are really excited to be able to have this renovation done here at the center, and it’s definitely going to improve our facility for our members.”
The gym has also gotten a new paintjob — in the colors of King’s Fork High School.
“The schools are one of our big partners,” said Rick Matthews, YMCA district vice president, adding that between about 50 and 75 teens and young adults play basketball any given night.
The gym was built over an existing pool when the Y took over the building, according to Matthews, and sorely needed a rehab.
“It’s going to bring it up to the new ages,” he said.