Everybody out of the pool -- for now

Ranging from dedicated, five-day-a-week swimmers to local politicians and bank presidents who hadn't ventured in the water for a while, supporters gathered for a "Last Lap" at the YWCA of Greater Newburyport.

March 31 was a day to mark the closing of the Y's aquatic center to allow for renovations, and celebrate the success of a long, arduous fund-raising campaign.

"I'm glad it's finally come to fruition," said Richie Eaton, president of the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank.

Mark Welch, president of the Institution for Savings in Newburyport, agreed. "We're thrilled to death this is going to be happening," he said.

Both banks, as well as the Provident Bank in Amesbury, made significant contributions to the capital campaign and participated in fund-raising.

"It was a big number and there are only so many things people can contribute to," said Welch. "We realized it was going to be a while to raise all the money, so we scaled back a bit."

In May 2003, the Y launched a capital campaign -- its first in 33 years -- to raise $3 million for the renovations. The goal was to break ground by spring 2004.

But raising money went slowly. And, as time went on, costs increased by about $1.5 million. "When the final bids came back, we felt it was beyond us in terms of fund-raising and financing," said YWCA president Mary Williamson.

The Y considered scrapping the Market Street project and moving to a new location, even one outside Newburyport. But, after months of assessment, it decided to stay and scale back the project to stay within its $3.2 million budget.

Last month, the Y announced it had raised more than $275,000 over four months to match a $500,000 challenge gift from an anonymous donor in the summer of 2005. That brought the total raised to $2.4 million, about 75 percent of the goal, which was enough to begin renovations.

"We are in a good place to start," said Williamson. "And, we will continue to fund-raise through the construction period."

The goal is to raise another $800,000.

The revised plan includes a new four-lane swimming pool, a warm-water therapy pool, new locker rooms and fitness center, enhanced child-care center and play equipment, improved handicapped accessibility, and updated technology and security systems.

Newburyport Mayor John Moak and a team of city officials, along with a team of Amesbury School Department employees, celebrated the "Last Lap" by swimming relay races. Amesbury Mayor Thatcher Kezer was away on military duty and couldn't attend.

Amesbury -- with three former Salisbury Beach lifeguards and two former college swimmers -- won.

"It was fun," said Les Murray, principal of Amesbury High School, admitting he had not been in the pool in a while.

The pool officially closes Sunday. Groundbreaking for the project is May 1 and construction is expected to take nine months.

While the aquatic center is closed, the rest of the Y will remain open, though programming will be limited. Child care, preschool, and youth swim lessons will be offered in different locations in the community. And for the first time, the Y will offer swim lessons and water exercise in backyard pools.

Devoted Y swimmers will temporarily move to a local sports club or YMCAs in other communities. The Y swim team, the Breakers, will practice at Gordon College in Wenham.

Judy Tymon, 53, of Newburyport, who has been swimming at the Y five days a week for 19 years, said she'll miss her Y friends. "I swim with a whole group of people," she said. "We get together socially. We've celebrated baby showers and 80-year-old birthdays. We all support the Y and have been with them through the good times and the bad times."

While it's hard to see the 42-year-old pool close, she said, a new pool "is very much needed, very welcomed."

Cassie Clavin, 10, of Newbury, who learned to swim at the Y, is also looking forward to an upgraded facility. "It's good because the old pool is gross," she said. "When you walk out to the pool the ground feels gross on your feet and, even if you're not running, you stub your toe. The locker room floors are always wet."

With a new aquatic center, she said, "They'll get a lot more people to come."

For more on the YWCA's Building a Healthier Community campaign, call 978-465-9922, ext. 26, or visit ywcanewburyport.org.