Dear Bangor Y Members:

We’ve got exciting news to share! Over the past year, the Bangor Y has been quietly securing nine properties adjacent to our Second Street campus. While rumors of our plans have been circulating, it was essential to keep official announcement of the real estate negotiations confidential until every parcel was under contract or option. Now that we’ve accomplished that step, we are excited to share the good news with you, our Bangor Y members.

Over the past four years, our Y has been trying to balance the cost of operating two buildings while we concluded studies and analysis to determine a strategic direction that could consolidate our programs and our members in one location. In 2008, the Y commissioned a feasibility study to investigate the possibilities for providing all programming in one facility. The result, while overwhelmingly supportive of the Bangor Y and our mission, was that our community simply didn’t have the resources required for us to construct a brand new facility. Therefore, architects and engineers assessed our Hammond and Second Street locations to determine which single site could best accommodate the essential core programming we offer today, as well as the programs we will offer in the future. It was determined that neither site in its current state could accommodate all essential programming and that our Second Street campus, with its recent renovations and aquatic facility, was the single site that could best meet community needs.

With that conclusion reached, we needed to ensure we could immediately acquire property for the increased parking demand that would result from a single location. We also had to acquire properties that will be essential for a future capital campaign that will expand our Second Street facilities for eventual programming.

During all of these assessments and negotiations, we have been planning, preparing, and quietly working with partners to ensure that all of our core Y programs will survive and even grow during this time of transition. In the coming months, we will begin the renovations to the Second Street gymnasium and Laurie Karam Workout Room which will both become fitness centers with new equipment. Demolition of the Discovery House building and others will make room for more than 110 new parking spots. We hope to announce very soon partnerships with several local agencies that will grow our many basketball programs.

Our decision to consolidate into a single site came after careful review of our Second Street and Hammond Street locations, cost to expand/renovate, and the ability to preserve the core programming that both locations offer today. As we begin to implement our strategic plan to operate from one location, we understand the importance of preserving our traditions of the YWCA Bangor Brewer and the Bangor YMCA, whose histories of service to the Greater Bangor community date back to 1914 and 1867. With the guidance of our Board of Directors, YMCA Foundation Trustees, community leaders and staff we are confident that this is the right decision and timing to prepare the Bangor Y for the next 25 years in fulfilling its mission and meeting our community’s needs.

If you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Y by phone at 941-2815 or by e-mail at mseile@bangorY.org.

Best Regards,

Mike Seile,
Bangor Y Chief Executive Officer

Click Here for announcement details.  

Click Here for WLBZ News story