SANFORD — At times, the folks who put together the plan to expand the Sanford-Springvale YMCA had their doubts if it would all come together. In all, it was a 13-year effort — one that began in 2004.

Fundraising seemed to go along well for a time — and then came one of the deepest recessions America has encountered, some say since the Great Depression.

Still, the plan moved forward. As the recession eased somewhat, there was a groundbreaking in 2010. and fundraising efforts continued. 

And on Sunday, under sunny skies, the big red ribbon was cut, a rousing cheer went up and folks streamed in to see the big, bright new space.

There is more room for programs, more room for the wellness center and a host of other spaces — and new room for facilities like a youth and family center and a game room that the Y had never had the space for, before.

It was an emotional moment as those who had worked so long spoke of the generosity of their friends and neighbors in the community who did what they could to help the Sanford-Springvale YMCA provide expanded space and services to more than 5,500 annual users.

John Roux of the YMCA board spoke of the big donations — and didn’t forget to mention the little ones, too, like the gift of the contents of his piggy bank from a little boy who wanted to help the cause.

He spoke of the Gerard and Gertrude Genest Charitable Fund, which, he estimated, gave in excess  $500,000 to the project, and of Richard and Pam Lolley, who contributed $100,000 to the cause.

“They didn’t give it to the Y,” said Roux, “They gave it to everyone in the community.”

The new addition nearly doubles the size of the YMCA, from 26,000 square feet to 48,000 square feet.

Kaye Thompson of Lebanon, a lifeguard at the Y “many years ago,” she said, likes to swim at the Y. But the new exercise equipment is also on her mind.

“I’ll be using it,” she said at Sunday’s Grand Opening.

Roux spoke of the collaborations — like the four local electrical contractors who came together just a few weeks ago to get 76 lights installed. Collaborations like that one came throughout the expansion, he said, as donors were promised that local tradespeople would build the new space. That meant some folks who would, in a different setting be considered competitors, worked together — and they did.

Sanford Deputy Mayor Maura Herlihy spoke of the community that makes up the membership of the YMCA — not only the larger community of Sanford and Springvale, but folks from Alfred and Shapleigh, Acton and Lebanon, and the other small towns that surround the city.

“The YMCA is a perfect example of (what) brings us all together,” she said. She noted the sheer perseverance of those who kept going, even through the rough spots.

“Now the dream is a reality,” she said. 

“Everyone pulled together to make this happen,” said Sanford Springvale YMCA director and CEO Andy Orazio. 

He named the lead donors, including the Gerard and Gertrude Genest Charitable Trust, Richard and Pam Lolley, Rubb Building Systems, H.A. Mapes, SIS Bank, Hissong Development, Marilee and John Perkins, Ann Merrifield and Jon Davis, Jim Coville,  and an in-kind donation from Genest Concrete.

He said Southern Maine Health Care will soon lease 4,700 square feet in the original building for a Sports Performance Center, which helped close the gap.

And Orazio provided the numbers — Sanford -Springvale YMCA has 5,500 annual program users; 10 school-age child care centers involving 350 children daily; 40 children in an onsite early learning program; 280 children using the Y’s summer camp and  220 senior citizens using the Trafton Center.

The YMCA provided $180,000 in scholarships to 500 people so they could participate in Y programming, he said.

Then came the snip, snip of the ribbon, made by sisters Addie and Lyla Fiandaca, two youngsters who had foregone presents so they could donate to the Y. There was a rousing chorus of The Village People’s famous “YMCA” song, the big cheer, and the doors opened wide.

Inside, folks toured the new spaces — including Sabrina Sibya, 5, who was intent on a doll’s house in one of the family rooms. She comes to the Y for swimming, her grandmother said. Gregory Cass, also 5, who attended preschool at the Y, was checking out some of the fitness equipment.

Kim Stewart was giving tours, and stopped at the community and game center. where   there were pool tables and other, similar games available, a safe environment for young people, she pointed out.

It was a busy  morning — a good sort of busy. 

After the opening, the pool was to open for an afternoon for a free public swim.

“Now we can expand our services to connect with more people,” Orazio said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].