Family Y Kicks Off Fundraising for New Home

After years of governmental reviews, contentious lawsuits and split public opinion, the Westport Weston Family Y forged ahead on Tuesday with its plans to vacate their downtown home and build a new facility near the Merritt Parkway.

Rosemary Halstead, former president of the nonprofit organization's board, called it a “long but focused roundtrip” that began in 2004. The expected completion date of the 102,000-square-foot building is 2014. Perhaps most importantly, at least $15 million needs to be raised.

“We’re coming down the home stretch,” she said at a press conference announcing the capital campaign to raise the funds.

For Rob Reeves, CEO of the Family Y, the meeting was almost a little unreal.

“A lot of people didn’t think we’d be here,” he told Patch.

As the petals from the cherry blossoms fell to the ground, several prominent families spoke in support of the plan.

Robin Tauck-Romano, whose family started the travel company Tauck World Discovery, spoke fondly of her days as a kid and the opportunities that the Family Y in Wilton afforded her.

“I can’t begin to describe the impact that made and the advantages that were reaped from such a bucolic setting,” she said.

The New Building and the Old Building

Edward T. Bedford, a prominent philanthropist who wanted a YMCA in town, created the Tudor building on 59 Post Road E. For years it was expanded and remodeled, but Family Y officials said that the dated space no longer serves the needs of the patrons.

While the building may be old, it is valuable. Halstead announced that $25 million has already been raised of the estimated $40 million needed for the new building. No deed has been transferred yet, but a contract is in place with a group of developers envisioning a mix of retail and residential. Some of that money came from donors, she said.

The new building will be on Sunny Lane, near exit 41 of the Merritt Parkway, at Camp Mahackeno. The summer camp is expected to remain operational even when the building is constructed.

The modern plans call for plenty of space for the gymnasium, fitness center and even a waterslide. Kevin Smith, the building’s architect, said there will be natural light almost everywhere and expansive views of the land.

“Many people think the Y is building a palace,” he said. “It’s just going to be very appropriate.”

Still, and the development of relatively rugged land persist from opponents. The Family Y is charged by the state with making the necessary improvements to the exit in order to ease the traffic. 

The Economic Impact

Many of the speakers at the press conference were nostalgic for the old days of the Y while looking ahead to the future. Bill Mitchell, of the family-owned Mitchells of Westport, remembered how outplayed he was by Paul Newman at the pool tables (which no longer exist). First Selectman Gordon Joseloff remembered watching Flash Gordon serials and working on a radio station inside the building.

He said the Family Y is special to him because his grandfather bought the land across the street years ago and built the former Fine Arts Theatre.

Joseloff said that the construction of the new Family Y will have a positive impact by creating jobs in the northern part of town, but also doing the same downtown when the new development gets underway.

“We’re going to boost the economy.”

According to tax records and the Connecticut Secretary of the State's Commercial Recording Division, Joseloff is the principal of a group that owns a property directly across the street, at 76 Post Road East, that was once the theatre. The property, which now houses Restoration Hardware, is owned by Fine Arts Realty LLC, tax records show. According to state records, Joseloff is both the agent and managing member for that group, which is registered at the first selectman's home address. He has said he is a part-owner, along with other family members, of the building.

He noted that the Family Y is the fourth-largest employer in town. According to Dan Woog's 06880 blog, Terex, Bridgewater Associates and MetLife are ahead. 06880 also reported that the 20-month construction would create 175 jobs.

With the Family Y expected to depart, the town can collect more than $100,000 in annual tax revenues from the old building (and possibly more when the building is developed). However, the new building will be untaxed since the Family Y is a nonprofit organization.

What’s Next

Beginning today, Rosemary Halstead, who also serves as the campaign’s co-chair, said the committee will get together and beginning soliciting a number of businesses, individuals and families.

Despite the opposition to the move, which she said came from a minority of people, she said the new Family Y will be good for the town.

“People will look back in just a few years and say ‘what was all that [controversy] about?’”

Eventually, she there will be a public drive in order to raise the funds. If the funds aren’t raised, Family Y officials have said, then the organization would cease to exist since the contract to sell the building stipulates that they leave by a certain time.

Bill Mitchell, addressing the crowd, said that help is needed – both in the form of opening a checkbook and volunteering time to get the project moving.

“There’s one last part of the puzzle,” he said. “We need your money.”