Dorchester YMCA Receives $25,000 Grant from MSCF

At a recent visit to the Dorchester County Family YMCA, Marty Mullaney (right) and Jim Middleton (left), advisors for the Todd Fund, were pleased to present Dee McDonald, CEO of the Dorchester YMCA with a grant for $25,000 to be used for the current renovation project.

While Todd Fund advisors, Marty Mullaney and Jim Middleton, toured the new KidZone at the Dorchester YMCA the children were eager to share in a photo in front of the newly completed mural.

Until the new weight room is finished in a future phase of the Y’s renovation, it currently shares half of the gym, but it is well stocked with state of the art equipment. Dee McDonald shows Marty Mullaney (right) and Jim Middleton (left) how the equipment is used.

The Dorchester County YMCA is being transformed into a bright, shiny, welcoming, center with an impressive array of classes, programs and equipment. The Y is two years into a very ambitious nine-phase renovation project for their building. The Todd Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation visited the YMCA this spring and was most impressed with the thoughtful, meticulous, quality approach to the project and quickly authorized a grant of $25,000.

In 1985 the YMCA moved into the old Cambridge High School building located on Talbot Street in Cambridge. In 1988, Dorchester County deeded the facility to the YMCA. Classrooms were converted to program areas and the YMCA was happy with its great location. An indoor pool/aquatic wing was added in 2000.

However, the 45 year old school building had developed major heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical problems—along with an ailing roof.

In 2005, the YMCA Board embarked on a major renovation project to address these problems and to make the entire building program friendly. The total project is estimated to cost $3.45 million.

To date, three of the nine proposed phases have been nearly completed with a total expenditure of $720,000. The YMCA was fortunate to receive $250,000 from the State of Maryland through it’s Bond Bill process in the 06-07 legislative year, and the balance of the project has been funded through private donations and fund raisers.

“The local community has been wonderful,” reports Dee McDonald, CEO of the Dorchester County YMCA. “In-kind gifts to the project have topped $150,000!”

Achievements to date include a new pool water boiler and locker room heat, new free weight area, new roof over 6,500 square feet of the building, overhaul of the wellness room complete with new equipment, a new lobby/entrance, and a cheerful, expansive ‘KidZone’ so children have a friendly, exciting place to be while mom or dad works out.

“The attention to detail, down to the wildlife mural and ‘tree house’ reading area in the new KidZone makes the day care area playful and welcoming,” says Jim Middleton a Todd Fund committee member.

For the past 2 years, the Y has worked hard at maintaining its full program schedule to the maximum extent possible during the renovations. Their hard work is paying off and memberships have shown a steady increase.

“Reworking an old school building has its challenges,” admits Dee McDonald as she juggles contractors, inspectors, day camp and a full schedule of programs.

Upcoming challenges include a new roof over the rest of the building, a new ventilation system for the gym, and a new weight room.

The George B. Todd Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation is dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life in the Dorchester County region. Mr. Todd was a Dorchester County businessman involved with insurance and rental properties and upon his death left his personal fortune to establish the Todd Fund. The Mid-Shore Community Foundation carries out all the administrative requirements of the Todd Fund.