Queens Tribune
 
....July 16, 12:03 PM
 
Updated Y Getting A Major Facelift

Congressman Weiner spoke with YMCA officers on the history of the Ridgewood building while looking at floor plans.

By Marvin Anderson

U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Kew Gardens) handed more than $237,000 to the YMCA to support the construction of a new facility in Ridgewood.

Weiner also toured the renovated $6 million facility before delivering the check to YMCA directors. The money, Weiner said, is a small investment of taxpayer’s dollars used to service the community.

The facility, a courthouse until the 1930s, will be stocked with state of the art equipment and resources, said Jack Lund, the president and CEO of New York’s YMCA’s.

Scholarships will also be available for individuals who are unable to afford membership fees in order to assure access for the entire community to the new facility, Lund said.

Construction workers were busy removing rubble and assembling woodwork throughout the 25,000-square-foot structure when Weiner walked through.

“When is it going to start looking like a YMCA?” he jokingly asked the non-profit’s staff members who were present while on the tour.

Lund focused Weiner’s attention to an area he said was once a courtyard that is now a foyer that connects the new exercise room and gymnasium, both of which were courtrooms before 1930.

Weiner spoke briefly on the history of the structure after it was transformed into a YMCA during the 1960’s. After years of service, the building was closed to undergo renovations to spruce its services for the community.

“This shell which people are busy working on cleaning will go from a construction site to a great community site,” Weiner said. “It was an old building and the Y said ‘we’re not ready to throw in the towel’.”

An artist’s rendering of the modern building was set in the midst of exposed brick, gapping holes in the wall and new windows that allowed the sun to pour in and highlight the dust on the floors.

“Lets all use our imagination,” Lund said jokingly after looking around.

Gregory Maziarz, executive director for the new YMCA, said the renovations, which began last year, were scheduled to be complete this summer but the organization ran into barriers with construction.

The new launch is set for September, he said.

While thinking of the new design, Maziarz said architects were set on maintaining the building’s beauty and pride as a former court house and landmark in the community while serving in its new function as a gym.

Other rooms in the former courthouse were changed into locker rooms, cardio areas and a center for teenagers to congregate and socialize.

Maziarz said he takes pride in the list of community services the center offers, but nothing is better than providing teenagers with a safe haven while promoting the physical and mental strength of the entire community.

“We want to preserve the community’s treasures,” he said. “It’s the roots of the YMCA.”

The renovated building at one time served as a courthouse for the Ridgewood community. Workout equipment will be placed in the area once used as a courtroom.