Frequently Asked Questions
ByThe New Williamstown Youth Center, Frequently Asked Questions
(updated November 23, 2010)
Q. WHY DO WE NEED A NEW YOUTH CENTER?
A. The current Cole Avenue facility was built over a century ago, and has housed the WYC since 1934. Its aging and inadequate facility is no longer able to support the growth in demand for its services. We are faced with inadequate space, inaccessibility, energy inefficiency, an absence of parking, a busy traffic pattern, failing building systems and a basement subject to flooding.
Q. WHY NOT FIX UP THE CURRENT BUILDING?
A. Renovating the facility to address these problems, and meet regulations, would cost between $7.5 and $8 million, and would still leave us on a busy street with no green space.
Q. WHERE WILL THE NEW WYC BE?
A. The new WYC will be located on the Williamstown Elementary School campus. Of course, the new WYC will be built according to the latest building code including all accessibility requirements.
Q. WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF HAVING IT ADJACENT TO THE WES?
A. Proximity to the school means that WES can utilize WYC resources for enhanced programming during the school day, including indoor recess during inclement weather and arts enrichment classes. The new WYC will feature a small technology room for creating digital movies and music, and would be at the disposal of WES classes. Being on campus also means a safer commute for those of our kids who currently walk to 270 Cole Ave. from WES.
Q. WHY NOT CONNECT THE NEW WYC TO THE WES?
A. Connecting to the school would require more expensive construction because of code requirements. We also looked into whether we could run the new building off the existing infrastructure of the school and the answer was that the school does not have that kind of excess capacity built into its systems.
Q. HOW MUCH WILL THE NEW WYC COST?
A. Architectural designs that are in keeping with the WES site, and that will support the desired functionality, have been developed with an estimated cost of construction at $3.5 million for a new 12,000 square foot facility.
Q. HOW BIG IS THE CURRENT WYC ON COLE AVENUE?
A. The WYC currently has 10,000 sq ft. of usable space, approximately 3,500 of which floods during heavy rain. In addition, there is 5,000 sq. ft. of inaccessible space in the attic. The proposed new Youth Center will be 20% larger, or 12,000 sq. ft.
Q. WHY 12,000 SQUARE FEET OF INTERIOR SPACE?
A. In estimating how much space the new youth center would need to accommodate programming, we started out with the rooms we have in the present facility, and made the following additions: staff bathroom (mandated by code,) galley kitchen (for preparation and distribution of snacks,) technology room (as described above,) parent/staff conference room (for privacy; conversations with parents now take place in the executive director’s office, and are subject to interruptions and displacement when the director needs his room!), a dedicated k-1 space (our littlest members now compete for hangers and cubbies with kids as old as 14,) and about a 50% increase to our gross motor area (which will allow for safer indoor physical activity, and also make it unnecessary for the after school program to compete for WES gym space with other groups.) Taken together, these spaces add up to the 2,000 sq ft. of additional space the new youth center will have over the old.
An effective after-school program and camp program has many activities taking place simultaneously. Whereas a school will have a fixed number of children in a given space for extended periods of time, a youth center environment will have children rotating among many different activities.
Q. WHAT WILL A NEW FACILITY AFFORD THE COMMUNITY?
A. The new WYC will provide our community with a safe, well-supervised multi-purpose facility for the use of all of our young people and their families. Historically, the WYC has been a place for dance, music, and art classes; a new facility is essential if we are to continue offering these programs. While we anticipate offering more programs in a new space, it’s important to remember that a new building is necessary simply for us to carry on as we have.
The new WYC will also provide other community groups a meeting space for group meetings and activities. Exercise classes, dance classes, baby and toddler programs, music and drama programs, etc. would have a space appropriate for enrichment activities. Although other community groups might choose to approach the Youth Center for space for these types of activities, the primary purpose of a new facility is to serve the children and families of Williamstown.
Q. I THOUGHT THAT THE SCHOOL POPULATION WAS GOING DOWN. WON’T THIS MEAN FEWER CHILDREN AT THE WYC?
A. Whereas elementary school enrollment has decreased during the past number of years, WYC participation has remained steady, particularly in the afterschool program. While we are confident that a new facility will increase usage, the new WYC will be a viable, financially secure institution even if we see no increase whatsoever.
Q. HOW WILL THE $3.5 MILLION BE RAISED?
A. Thanks to the generosity of one Williamstown couple, Bob and Sheila Stone, the WYC has received a $1 million challenge gift. In response, a Capital Campaign has been organized to raise an additional $2.5 million. We believe that “Together We Can” achieve this Campaign goal within the Williamstown community. We expect that gifts will come from community residents, businesses and non-profit organizations, professionals, grants, public funds.
Q. HOW WILL THE YOUTH CENTER’S OPERATING BUDGET BE IMPACTED WITH A NEW FACILITY?
A. The Youth Center’s operating budget has had a small surplus in past years. Estimates from architects, builders, insurance agency, etc., indicate that the new facility will be less expensive to operate than the current facility on Cole Avenue. Even with a projected increase in staffing, the Youth Center’s operating budget will be in better shape than it has been during past years.
Q. HOW WILL THE YOUTH CENTER MAINTAIN THE NEW FACILITY IN FUTURE YEARS?
A. The Youth Center will dedicate an initial amount of its savings to an endowment for the care of the building. In addition, the proceeds of the sale of the Youth Center’s current facility at 270 Cole Avenue will be added to the endowment. The long-range operating budget of the youth center contributes a percentage of net income each year to the endowment.
Q. WHAT IS THE EXPECTED TIME FRAME?
A. We plan to receive pledges for an additional $2.5 million in 2010, break ground in 2011, and occupy the new Youth Center in 2012.
Q. HOW CAN THE PEOPLE OF WILLIAMSTOWN MAKE GIFTS?
A. By going to the www.williamstownyouthcenter.org website and hitting the “Together We Can” tab, by mailing a check to the Williamstown Youth Center at 270 Cole Avenue, Williamstown, MA 01267, by calling the WYC at 413 458 5925.
