ANAHEIM : YMCA Renovated With $50,000 Grant

The Anaheim YMCA recently underwent nearly $50,000 in renovations including repairs to its gymnasium, parking lot and lighting system, thanks to federal grant money allocated by the city.

The group repaved and restriped its parking lot and created two more spaces for handicapped access. It also completely revamped the floors in the gymnasium, handball and racquetball courts. In addition, the YMCA was able to install both interior and exterior low-energy lighting systems.

“It’s wonderful,” said Mike Larkin, general director of the Y. “The city’s been very supportive.”

The federal money was part of annual Community Development Block Grant funds that Anaheim and other cities allot to various groups operating within their boundaries.

This summer, the YMCA is offering young people its traditional assortment of camping excursions, day camps, sports camps and swimming lessons.

Additionally, the group has plans to offer these same summer programs year-round beginning this fall, making them available to children whose schedules have shifted because the city’s elementary school district added more schools to its year-round schedule.

Larkin said that the YMCA saw a need to offer the programs all year so children wouldn’t be left out of activities simply because of the new schedule. Nearly half of the district’s schools are now on year-round schedules.

Most of the YMCA’s programs are available to those with low and moderate incomes at discounted prices.