Fight for Norwich YMCA continues

Norwich (WTNH) - People in Norwich are not giving up on their YMCA. Although its days are numbered, the fight continues to save the YMCA of Southeastern Connecticut.

"We've been operating all this time because we have borrowed $436,000," said Michael Lahan. "We only have one boiler, we used to have two," said Lahan.

It's just some of the problems leading to the Norwich YMCA's closure at the end of April.

"Why did the Y not approach the community a year ago or two years ago when you had the $160,000 deficit?" asked Stephen Ingle of Norwich.

Frustration and desperation comes to those who depend on the Y's childcare programs.

"They're asking me if I can take care of their children," said Cindy Cordeiro of Norwich.

Cindy runs her own daycare. Her son, Michael, works at the Y. He is behind the latest incentive to boost membership by waiving the initiation fee. He says in the past his ideas were ignored.

"If we were in the hole for three years I'm just wondering why nothing was even sold at the Y, like bottled water," Michael said.

"What I see today is an opportunity to press the restart button," said Ron Ward of Norwich.

"There may be light at the end of the tunnel and it may not be an oncoming train," said City Councilor Bob Zarnetske.

That light may shine from partnerships with other non-profits in the city. Whether that means sharing services or sharing this building is all being considered.

Up until now, money from memberships supported the Y's subsidized services. But if it's going to survive, that burden may have to be shared.

"It really is gonna be a matter of finding partners in the community who can step up and help put together a proposed solution," said Zarnetske.