Courtesy illustrations Hollidaysburg Area YMCA board members are contemplating a major expansion project that would include a new building, possibly like the draft above, to house both the Children’s Center and the YMCA.

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Some major changes will be coming to the Hollidaysburg Area YMCA.

Board members are contemplating a major expansion project and are searching for a new executive director to replace Tom Kopriva, who will retire Dec. 31.

Board members say another expansion project — the last one was completed in 2008 — is needed.

The needs of the YMCA’s Children’s Center at the former Frankstown Elementary School, built in the 1950s, is what is driving the expansion concept, said Mike Wagner, president of the board of directors.

“The facility is slowly deteriorating,” Wagner said. “We are worried about a number of expenses that could come up to fix it — roof, electrical system, windows and doors. It has got to the point we can’t do a quick fix. We need to think long term. That means moving out of the old school. The ideal goal is to have the Children’s Center and YMCA all at one location. The expansion project, we think, is needed, and we are exploring the feasibility of how to go about it in the most economically effective manner.”

A large addition is likely.

“We have preliminary drawings and sketches of different ideas on how to facilitate the plan. We are not doing this quickly. We have designs we are looking at, we don’t have any final plan. We want the best bang for the buck but not strapping the citizens or the organization,” board Vice President Joel Seelye said. “This could mean a second floor on the existing part of the structure (2008 addition). A portion of the old building may be taken down, but it would be replaced by a new version.”

Kopriva’s vision

Wagner said the planned project will likely cost more than the $7.4 million, 54,000-square-foot addition completed in 2008.

“It has been Tom’s vision that phase one was just that, the finished project is what we are contemplating,” he said. “We are going through a due diligence feasibility process. We have to decide what is needed and are we satisfied there is a need, what could we do when we move the children’s center, what is the cost, and what will be the community support for such a project.

“Then we can make a decision on the scope of the project. We hope to make a decision within a year or two.”

Kopriva said, “Finishing our expansion project will position the Y to be solvent for the foreseeable future and enable us to provide Y programs and services to individuals and families throughout Blair County and beyond.”

Community support will be essential.

“We are testing the waters to see what level of community support there will be once the scope of the project has been determined and how it is embraced by the community,” Wagner said.

“There will be a large fund-raising component from both the business community and individuals,” Seelye said. “We need the community to be as committed to us as we are committed to them.”

Successor search

Meanwhile, a search committee has been formed to find a successor for Kopriva, who has been executive director since 1990.

Advertisements for the position are beginning, including in today’s Careers classified section of the Mirror.

The national YMCA is assisting in the search for a new executive director.

“They will help search nationwide; it will be a national search,” Seelye said. “In all likelihood we envision someone who has roots in the area with a background similar to the type of community we enjoy here.”

The successful candidate should meet several criteria.

“The candidate should advocate the YMCA vision and be the heart and soul of the organization, establish and implement a strategic plan, build and manage the staff team, improve operating performance with a focus on fiscal health and lead fundraising efforts,” board member Kate Starkey said.

The deadline for applications is Aug. 25, and the suggested salary for the position is between $70,000 and $90,000, Wagner said.

The search committee will make a recommendation to the full board of directors for a vote.

“We envision hiring a replacement and having him in place by Dec. 31. The target is late November or early December,” Wagner said.

Kopriva’s legacy

Kopriva will be difficult to replace.

“He has been invaluable,” Wagner said. “He has modernized the YMCA, he has grown the YMCA. On a number of occasions when I’ve been there, I’ve heard individuals say it is the finest YMCA in the area. You can thank Tom and his staff for that. He is the leader of the staff and he has a great cast.”

“Tom is leaving a big pair of shoes to fill, that is why the YMCA board has cast the net nationally to give us the best candidates to continue his leadership,” Seelye said.

Kopriva will remain involved with the YMCA after his retirement.

“Tom will be heavily involved in the Children’s Center project,” Starkey said. “Tom has built such a community program. He led us through phase one and will be involved in phase two.”

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.