|
The Building Trades 3 class at King George High School built 10 picnic tables for the YMCA pavilion. |
By CATHY DYSON
Officials at the King George Family YMCA have wanted a pavilion and playground at their facility since it opened in September.
But the YMCA lacked the money for new construction, so it turned to the community, which responded with cash and labor, materials and building supplies.
Volunteers broke ground this week on the 30- by 72-foot pavilion, and work should be done by mid-July, said Executive Director Elizabeth Clark.
"We're so excited," she said. "It's a real community effort."
Foote Tile, the main sponsor, donated $25,000. That's half of what it would have cost to pay someone to build the structure, Clark said.
Foote Tile has an office on U.S. 301 near Dahlgren. Its headquarters are in Waldorf, Md.
Other local businesses are donating glass and brick, as well as plumbing and electrical services. The King George Builders Association will construct the pavilion.
The Building Trades 3 class at King George High School already has put together 10 picnic tables for the pavilion, which can be used by anyone, not just YMCA members.
The YMCA plans to follow up the pavilion with a new playground, and is collecting donations. Individuals and companies can buy a small brick at the playground for $100 or a large one for $250.
The playground will cost $100,000 to build, Clark said, and the YMCA hopes to open it by spring. Main sponsors of the playground effort are Geico and Cottrell and Associates Dentistry.
The King George facility has more than 8,000 members and is one of three in the Fredericksburg area, part of the Rappahannock Area YMCA. The others branches are in Stafford and Spotsylvania.
Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com
| Anyone interested in donating to the pavilion or playground at the King George Family YMCA can contact Elizabeth Clark at 540/644-9622, ext. 3017. ON THE NET: family-ymca.org |
