It might have been a rainy and blustery day in Baltimore, but I’d have to say that last Tuesday was a great day at the Y! We were honored to have Governor Larry Hogan visit us at the Harry & Jeannette Weinberg Y in Waverly. He came to see the expansion and capital improvement work being done and to learn more about the important community-building work taking place there every day. He saw the impact of the first phase of the project, which was completed in early 2020, touring the completely renovated main floor, including the new lobby space complete with an inviting stone fireplace; large family and community room; expanded Stay & Play; multi-purpose community space and much more. More important than the space itself, he learned about the history of the Y on 33rd Street (including its historic roots as the former home to Memorial Stadium); the tremendous diversity of people served by this Y and the rich tapestry of programs, activities and partnerships offered there, all of which significantly enhance the quality of life, health and well-being of the surrounding neighborhoods, families, seniors, children and youth.
Governor Hogan then learned that, in the final phase of project, the Weinberg Y fitness center will be doubled in size to better accommodate the community’s significant demand, and the locker rooms will be completely redone, considerably improving the member experience for the thousands of people from all backgrounds and ages who consider the Weinberg Y a second home and safe space to exercise, socialize, relax and reconnect with neighbors and friends.
We then walked back outside to show the Governor the progress being made on the second phase of the project, which includes the construction of the new Sherman Early Childhood Center, which will serve 120 children (including infants) in a unique blended Head Start/traditional model, a full 50% more than the existing Y preschool located in the Weinberg Y building. He also saw the early stages of construction of a new outdoor pavilion being built, which will provide a considerably enhanced outdoor experience for youth and families participating in Y camp, youth sports, playing at the community playground and using the Y’s Cal Ripken, Sr. field situated in the middle of the overall property (and in the exact same place that the old Memorial Stadium field was situated). Both the Sherman Early Childhood Center and the pavilion should be completed by the early spring of next year.
The Governor was highly complimentary of the work being done at the Weinberg Y, as well as the work that our Y and all Ys are doing across the state. He expressed a strong commitment to help us continue to do that work during his remaining time in office. He commented that the Weinberg Y in Waverly is clearly an anchor institution in Baltimore City, and praised the work of the Y to the press that assembled to cover the tour.
I want to thank everyone who participated in the tour and to the great leadership that makes the Weinberg Y and its preschool such a remarkable place. A special shout-out to the Governor’s tour guides, Senior Executive Director of Operations, Ashley Funk, Ameka Smith, Executive Director of Y Preschool, and Derryck Fletcher, Chief Strategy Officer. They did an exceptional job of telling the Y story and representing our mission and work to a grateful Maryland Governor!
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland