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ALL TOGETHER BETTER
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO TRANSFORM
THE NORTHERN MIDDLESEX YMCA
SERVICE AREA INCLUDES:
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Cromwell
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Portland
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Middletown
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East Hampton
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Durham/Middlefield
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Haddam
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East Haddam
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Killingworth
WE ARE MORE THAN A PLACE;
WE ARE A PURPOSE!
We are currently in the “Silent Phase” of our Capital Campaign. We are working with major donors on this transformational project. We would be happy to meet with people interested in making a substantive gift toward our ATB Campaign.
The “Public Phase” of the campaign will begin when we have met our goal of 85% of our philanthropic goals for this project.
March 10, 2025 By Cassandra Day, Middletown Press
Middletown YMCA has major renovations and larger facility ahead: 'We have to upgrade everything'
Breakfast
Ideas
Breakfast
Ideas
MIDDLETOWN — The Northern Middlesex YMCA is getting closer to raising the millions it needs to renovate its historic building, transforming it into a modern, state-of-the-art community center. The 99 Union St. facility, listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and Middletown’s Historic Properties List, was built in 1928 and last renovated in 1972.
Work will include adding handicap accessibility, moving the entrance near the parking lot, a new elevator, relocating the welcoming center, increasing the wellness, health and fitness areas, and transforming recreation places for youth into something a lot more “friendly,” YMCA President & CEO Michele Rulnick said.
The member child care center for infants and toddlers, which will be located where the front desk is now, will also be made bigger, and security measures will be added.
So far, the All Together Better campaign has garnered about $15 million in state, local and federal money.
The Y recently received $8 million in state Community Investment Funds, aid the agency applied for three times, Rulnick said.
Staff initially received a $2 million Urban Act Grant from the State Bond Commission.
“That helped us get rolling with the fundraising and was helpful with the state money as well,” Rulnick said.
Last year, a $1.1 million award came in from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Project.
Middletown-based Liberty Bank also donated $1 million toward the campaign last summer.
“That showed commitment by the community for this project,” Rulnick said.
In addition, Durham Manufacturing has pledged $200,000, and $100,000 is promised by Pratt & Whitney/RTX.
The Y already has pledges totaling $1.4 million from about 53 members and other benefactors.
“We want to get to about $3 million in philanthropic fundraising,” she said.
Because of the building’s historic nature, Rulnick said, it will be eligible for tax credits.
Although the project is estimated to cost between $15 million and $16 million, Rulnick added, “inflation in these construction projects is so significant.”
Other factors play into it, she said.
“When you are doing a project with a lot of state and federal money, it is that much more expensive,” Rulnick added. “There are extra rules you have to follow. You’re talking about prevailing wage, and other things.”
The facility will increase in size by 8,800 square feet.
“We want to touch as much of the footprint of the building as possible,” Rulnick said, “and the more money we raise, the more opportunity we have.”
Work will also be done on the Schwarz men’s residence, including a separate entrance for those living there.
Many historic features of the building will be retained, such as the multiple fireplaces, she said.
The spin and fitness rooms will be moved upstairs, out of the basement.
The hope is to begin the first phase of construction in 2026, while still keeping as many services going as possible, and maintaining safety, she noted.
Another goal is to increase membership by 35%.
More support is still needed, Rulnick said.
“This is a very, very big and expensive building," she said. "We have to upgrade everything, so it’s going to be quite costly to do this right.”
September 23, 2024
State Community Investment Fund Awards $8 Million
to the Northern Middlesex YMCA
MIDDLETOWN, CT
Thanks to this generous $8 million CIF award, we are turning a long-held vision into reality. This funding, along with the invaluable support of our community’s philanthropic partners, is essential for enhancing our services and facilities, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our community, and continuing our 138-year legacy of fostering youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
“We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” said Michele Rulnick, President/CEO of the Northern Middlesex YMCA. “Our legislative delegation, the Mayor, volunteers, and community stakeholders passionately advocated for this funding. This renovation will enable us to expand our programs and serve even more families, reinforcing our commitment to a healthier, more engaged community.”
Philanthropic support will help this project reach the finish line, and we welcome additional donations from community members and local businesses. Your contributions will maximize the initiative's impact and continue enriching the lives of those we serve.
The Northern Middlesex YMCA remains dedicated to providing high-quality services that empower individuals and families to thrive. We look forward to sharing more details about this exciting project in the coming months.
June 17, 2024
Liberty Bank Sends $1 Million Deposit to NMYMCA
MIDDLETOWN, CT — David W. Glidden, president and CEO of Liberty Bank and President of the Liberty Bank Foundation, and Michele Rulnick, president and CEO of the Northern Middlesex YMCA in Middletown Monday jointly announced a $1 million grant from the Liberty Bank team to support the YMCA's All Together Better Capital Campaign.
The Northern Middlesex YMCA, which was founded 137 years ago, has been operatingout of its current facility on Union Street in Middletown since 1928. The Y expanded thefootprint in 1970s and renovated additional space in the mid 2000s.
The All Together Better campaign will support the expansion and renovation of theYMCA’s Union Street-Middletown facility, focusing on enhancing accessibility, efficiencyand flexible program spaces at the facility. Through this capital campaign, the YMCA'sgoal is to invest $15 million for what it calls a "once-in-a-generation renovation andexpansion project" that would ultimately lead to a complete transformation of the facility.
Another goal is to positioning the Y increase membership by 35% and build the capacityto extend services to more members of the Middletown community.
The extensive renovations will include providing new, dedicated space for youth and teen engagement; creating a new welcoming and inclusive lobby; enhancing Child Watch (babysitting); improving wellness spaces; making space for community programs supporting mental wellness and chronic disease prevention; adding a steam room, whirlpool and sauna; and improving locker rooms.
In addition, the Northern Middlesex YMCA continues its future planning to renovate andmodernize the historic Schwarz Residence for men so it can deliver affordable housing and combat homelessness for current and next generation of male residents.
"We are so grateful for Liberty Bank’s generous gift supporting our All Together BetterCapital Campaign. The Y's vision is to transform the historic building into a welcoming,accessible, modern facility well-positioned to serve future generations of children,individuals, and families," Rulnick said. "Liberty’s historic $1 million donation is a catalyst, showing faith in the project and the Y's pivotal role in strengthening our community. Liberty Bank has always been a role model for good corporate citizenship. We hope this demonstration of generosity and community investment will inspire others.”
Glidden said the capital campaign perfectly aligns "with the strongcommunity partnership we’ve enjoyed with the Northern Middlesex YMCA for more thana century."
He added, "That’s why we felt so deeply to step up, make a historic investment and helpkick-start a capital campaign that will transform the YMCA and better the lives ofindividuals and families from this region for generations to come. We agreed this was right project for Liberty to get behind and we hope others in the community who share our passion for the future success of the Northern Middlesex YMCA will too."
Lt. Gov. SusanBysiewicz said, "On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I applaud Liberty Bank and the Liberty Bank Foundation for its extraordinary corporate citizenship in making this historic contribution. When our business community, non-profit sector, and government come together in common purpose, there is no limit to what we can achieve. This project exemplifies the very best of those collaborative efforts, and your leadership sets an example for others to follow.”
Mayor Ben Florshein said The Middlesex YMCA is a unique and cherished institution.
"From housing to childcare to fitness and wellness programs and beyond, the services offered at the Y are an essential part of our community’s backbone," he said. "As we plan for the future ofthe Y and the historic building on Main Street that has been its home for nearly 100years, our whole community is rising to the occasion of supporting the Y that hassupported us for so long. "The extraordinary generosity of Liberty Bank in providing this grant is a reaffirmation of their deep involvement and support of Middletown — Liberty's hometown—and will provide significant momentum to the All Together Better campaign. The City of Middletown is proud to be a partner in this effort, and on behalf of all our residents who benefit from the Y, I am very grateful to Liberty Bank and the Liberty Bank Foundation for helping make our shared vision a reality."
The Northern Middlesex YMCA assembled a "Leadership Cabinet" comprised of volunteers to help raise money for the Capital Campaign. Funding sources include private philanthropy; corporate community; support from the state and federal government; additional YMCA investment; and debt servicing, if necessary.
