By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear visited Barren County on Wednesday, Oct. 11, to cut the ribbon on the Barren County Family YMCA’s new Empowering Youth Academy.
This ribbon cutting ceremony represented more than three months of work by Scott, Murphy and Daniel, the company responsible for the academy’s construction. It features five classrooms capable of accommodating the 85 students enrolled in the YMCA’s after school program. The new building is 6,700 square feet and is nearly twice the size of the space the children previously occupied.
In the 2022 General Assembly, Beshear said, the legislature allocated roughly $3 million to the Barren County YMCA, and, according to the governor, $2.6 million of that allocation went toward the academy’s construction. Beshear, along with Scott Kerley, Chairman of Barren Inc, and Tara Bailey, CEO and executive director of the YMCA, said the new expansion will be “a great asset” to the community and “a true milestone” that will allow even more people to take advantage of the facilities.
“…just think about the name,” Beshear said. “It means we’re doing better for each and every one of these kids; working harder to give them a brighter future.”
“There is no more sacred duty of ours than to take care of our Kentucky children. To make sure they have all the resources they need and to support them as they chase their dreams….” Beshear added.
The event was attended by numerous notable people both statewide and in the community including Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse, City Administrator April Russell, Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd, Kentucky State Senator David Givens, State Representative Steve Riley and a representative from Brett Guthrie’s office.
Kerley, who was first to the podium, mentioned that for roughly 30 years the YMCA has been a staple in the community, and he is excited to see “where it’ll go” in the future. He then handed the microphone over to Bailey who reiterated Kerley’s remarks and talked about how the recreational facilities have changed people’s lives for the better.
Barrett Lessenberry, the founder of the Barren County YMCA and someone who didn’t have a YMCA himself, talked a little about the history. He remembered going through the phone book looking for prospective donors and going to the banks with “a shoebox filled with yellow index cards” with names on it of people who promised him “if you build it I will come.”
“It had nothing to do with the colors of jerseys,”Lessenberry said. “It was all for the cause.”
The YMCA officially opened its doors on Feb. 14, 1992, and since that time it has had a great positive impact to Glasgow and the county. At the height of its popularity, Lessenberry said, roughly 10,000 people a month walked through the doors and the YMCA gave roughly $65,000 a year.
“Today is a good day,” Beshear said. “Folks, I am really excited today about where we’re going as a state, as a region and as a community and, like your founder said, the way we get there isn’t to wear red or blue jerseys, a good job isn’t about being Republican or Democrats…this is our chance to move forward. The reason we do it is to leave more opportunities for these young people than we ever thought was possible.”
Before the ceremony Gov. Beshear tours the new and existing YMCA. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Senator David Givens was one of the notable people that attended. The others included a representative from Brett Guthrie’s office, State Representative Steve Riley, Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse and more. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Before the ceremony Gov. Beshear tours the new and existing YMCA and talks with the many people who began to gather as he walked through. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Before the ceremony Gov. Beshear tours the new and existing YMCA and talks with the children would were dropped off at the YMCA by their school buses either for one of the after school programs or to swim. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Kids in the after school YMCA program gather outside the new academy to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Scott Kerley, board chair of Barren Inc, introduces Tara Bailey, CEO and executive director of the Barren County YMCA, to give some history of the institution. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Gov. Beshear said this was the product of $3 million that was reserved in the state budget for the YMCA. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Related Stories:
YMCA expansion construction to benefit childcare programs
Barren County Family YMCA opens new ‘Empowering Youth Academy’
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