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Blair Regional YMCA hosts groundbreaking

Organization begins construction of new Early Learning Center

By Colette Costlow 3 min read

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Supporters of the Blair Regional YMCA broke ground outside their main campus Friday morning in anticipation of the new Early Learning Center.

Having acquired more than $10 million in grants and donations over time, the organization is pursuing the expansion as part of its "under one roof" campaign, with the current early learning center located at Frankstown Elementary School.

With its completion slated for late summer 2027, the new center will feature multiple classrooms, a kitchen and a gym for early learners. The playground -- which closes Aug. 2 -- will be downsized during construction to make room for the center's expansion.

While some community members took shovels and broke ground outside of the building, Executive Director Sharon Jones said that Friday's ceremony was more than just the start of a construction project.

"It's the beginning of new opportunities for children, families, employers and our entire community," she said. "Every shovel we turn over today represents an investment in our future."

Originally launched in 1996, the Early Learning Center offers childcare for infants to children in sixth grade. They also offer before-school and afterschool, pre-K counts and summer camp programs.

The vision began with former Executive Director Tom Kopriva and former Education Director Andrea Collins, who wanted to see the center expand into the main campus, Jones said.

Since then, she said the organization collected community donations from dedicated residents and developed a game plan to make that dream a reality.

The organization also received a $2 million federal community project grant, orchestrated by U.S. Rep. John Joyce, R-Blair, in 2022 and a $3 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant, awarded by the state through state Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, in 2024.

"If we didn't get that $5 million, we'd still be doing this (fundraising)," Jones said.

With federal and state funds paving the way, they also secured a $5 million community match from previous donations and last year's fundraising campaign, which led to Friday's ceremony.

According to Jones, the organization is spending $7 million on the center, and additional funds will go toward expanding the main section of the YMCA.

With construction starting Monday, Aug. 3, Jones said the center can bring children into the YMCA family.

"It's really a place for families as well as individuals and children where everything is under one roof," she said.

During the ceremony, Blair Regional YMCA board President Seth Smith announced that the new center is dedicated to board member Diane Osgood and former board President Carroll P. Osgood, who encouraged the center's growth.

The Osgoods exemplify what it means to have community be a part of your family and family be a part of your community, Smith said.

After the ceremony, Diane Osgood expressed her enthusiasm for the new Early Learning Center, as she said she encouraged the YMCA to finally begin the project.

"We really love this community and wanted to share what we have while we were still around to see the results," she said.

Some of the children who will reap the rewards include Eli Smith, 10, who is looking forward to attending the new center next year.

Attending Foot of Ten Elementary School, Eli learned how to swim at the Blair Regional YMCA, and now he swims competitively and plays basketball and baseball.

"I'm excited because it's cool and a new place to play," he said.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.

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