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Naugatuck YMCA pool gets a makeover 

Naugatuck YMCA CEO Susan Talbot shows off the newly renovated pool at the YMCA Jan. 27. The work is part of a larger $850,000 renovation project. –LUKE MARSHALL
Naugatuck YMCA CEO Susan Talbot shows off the newly renovated pool at the YMCA Jan. 27. The work is part of a larger $850,000 renovation project. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck YMCA’s latest renovations are already making a splash.

After being closed for just over three weeks, the YMCA pool reopened on Jan. 22.

“It’s great that the pool project finished as quickly as it did. It stayed right in line with our schedule. And our members love it. It’s bright and cheery. You don’t feel like you’re in the basement,” YMCA CEO Susan Talbot said.

The pool underwent renovations including re-grouting the pool and a fresh coat of paint on the walls. A new filtration system was put in and a new heater pump is scheduled to be installed — it was backordered during the renovations.

Talbot said construction workers and YMCA staff worked hard to ensure the pool reopened on schedule.

“The members were very receptive to waiting and really anxious when it opened,” Talbot said. “When we were able to open on the date we had set it was really good news for them.”

The new renovations have been well received.

Dave Cronin, who has been a member of the YMCA for over 60 years, was making use of the pool Jan. 27. Cronin said he likes the new renovations and the cleanliness of the pool.

“It looks good,” Cronin said.

Talbot said the work on the pool cost about $130,000, which included the flags and signs.

The work on the pool was part of the larger $850,000 renovation project underway at the YMCA.  

The next round of renovations will take place in the gym, Talbot said. The work in the gym will include new bleachers, an HVAC system and removing the old radiators, she said. The walls will also be painted to brighten the gym up.

Talbot said the YMCA will try to keep the gym open throughout the renovations to avoid interrupting programming. However, the gym will have to be closed when the HVAC unit is installed, she said. There is currently no definitive timeline for that, but it will most likely be closed for about a week, she said.

“We’re going to be doing it in bits and pieces and the whole thing will be completed hopefully by Sept.1,” Talbot said.

The overall project also includes turning some of the current offices into programming areas, adding a spinning class upstairs and turning the main room upstairs into a cyber coffee bar.

The cost of the renovation project was offset by a $317,500 state grant.

“We’re still looking for some funding. We’re going to be going out to the public in terms of the capital campaign,” Talbot said.

The capital campaign kicks off with a reception Friday at 5:30 p.m. the Neary Building Ballroom, 203 Church St.

“I think we’re not going to have trouble raising the money. It’s just when can we cause the least amount of disruption for our members in getting the construction done. That’s really the key to the whole thing,” Talbot said.