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Letter from the Executive Director – Fall 2018

Ryan Reed — October 3, 2018

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As we bask in the glow of another great summer, we’re delighted to have played a part in helping almost 1,500 campers recoup from too much screen time, get back to nature, and become part of an incredibly rich community. We’re proud to be a place where kids fight loneliness, build relationships, and try new activities. It has been the Takodah YMCA’s honor to serve for over 100 years, and we are committed to making the Takodah YMCA a place that continues to bring people together for the next century.

To that end, the Takodah YMCA Board and Staff recognize the need to provide top-notch programming at a first-rate facility. We are starting the process by undertaking a master plan. This dynamic plan will recommend future facility needs to accomplish programming objectives by making the connection between our physical environment and social setting. This master plan will be intentionally approached from the perspective of: how do we guarantee our facilities continue to build community while maintaining the Takodah look and feel? It is a big job, and that is why we’re getting some help.

We are partnering with Milone & MacBroom. They are a multidisciplinary consulting firm based in Connecticut. They have a team experienced in the fields of engineering, landscape architecture, environmental science, and community development planning. They have done master plans for YMCA Camp Ingersoll, Camp Sloper of the Southington-Cheshire YMCA, and YMCA Camp Woodstock. We’re looking forward to seeing where they help can help us plan for the future.

The team was out in August to see Takodah in action, talk with staff, and review current operations. Between now and the end of the year, they will gather feedback from the staff, board, and other stakeholders, produce a few versions of the master plan, and present us with a final document in December. This will have drawings of projects, phasing, cost projections, and design standards to help us plan for the future.

Once we have the plan, we intend to share it with all of you to gather input, listen to priorities, and get started on the next century of the Takodah YMCA. The plan will also be on display at Takodah during Summer Camp 2018, and you’re always welcome to contact me for more information.

Enjoy the fall!

Artie Lang
Executive Director
Takodah YMCA