YMCA eyes name change
Board to decide in May
The YMCA of Greater Worcester is considering dropping the Worcester from its name in favor of a more regional brand.
The Y's board of directors is set to consider a name change at its annual meeting in May, according to Ronald Dufault, the Y's vice president for development and communication.
The proposed name - the YMCA of Central Massachusetts - is aimed at conveying the organization's involvement throughout the 40 towns surrounding Worcester.
Although based in the city with two Worcester branches, the YMCA also has a branch in Westboro and satellite operations throughout the region.
A possible name change comes in the midst of an ambitious $15 million capital improvement plan at its three branches.
At the Greendale Family Branch on Shore Drive in Worcester, work has begun on $5.5 million in renovations, including a 10,000-square-foot wellness center. The new structure will help replace operations that are currently across the street at the Higgins Program Center, which is expected to be sold to the Bancroft School.
The Greendale project began in the fall and recently marked a construction milestone with a "topping off" ceremony. The improvements are expected to completed by the end of the summer.
Another part of the capital improvement plan is a $5 million investment in the Central Community Branch on Main Street in Worcester. Work there is expected to begin in a month and conclude in early 2008.
And the final portion of the plan calls for $4.5 million in improvements at the Boroughs Family Branch in Westboro to be completed by mid-2008.
The YMCA of Greater Worcester was founded 140 years ago and serves about 28,000 people in the region annually.
Christina H. Davis can be reached at cdavis@wbjournal.com.
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