TRIPIL’s YWCA renovation to merge old and new
The former YWCA on West Maiden Street in Washington is undergoing renovations and will serve as the headquarters for TRIPIL.
An old, rusty chandelier that once hung in the gym at the former YWCA now sits in the TRIPIL maintenance building.
An old fireplace on the third flood will remain as part of the renovations of TRIPIL’s building on West Maiden Street in Washington.
The main entrance area under renovation inside the TRIPIL building on West Maiden Street in Washington.
Joann Naser, director of development for TRIPIL, walks through the first floor of the organization’s building on West Maiden Street in Washington.
A window covered with handprints in the former day care room on the third floor of the former YWCA on West Maiden Street in Washington.
The Elizabethan structure at 42 W. Maiden St., Washington, was once home to the Young Women’s Christian Association, providing shelter and programs for female workers in the city.
Over the years, couples danced through its high-ceilinged rooms, swimmers improved their technique in the basement pool, churchgoers worshipped and day-care children placed their paint-covered hands on windows, chronicling days spent learning and playing.
“People have a lot of fond memories here. We want to make some new ones,” said Joann Naser, TRIPIL director of development, as she gave a tour of the 25,000-square-foot structure, purchased by Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living in 2012.
In addition to providing cutting-edge facilities for their consumers, conference rooms and offices, TRIPIL’s goal is to create a community center for all residents.
“It’s just a great symbol of Washington’s past, and bringing it to a whole new future here,” Naser said.
TRIPIL began a capital campaign in 2010 to replace its current headquarters at 69 E. Beau St. Now that internal demolition is complete, the next step will be to finish the flooring and repair the roof.
Doug Bonnette, who provides maintenance for TRIPIL, is restoring an original carved double door and chandeliers, temporarily housed in the nearby TRIPIL motor pool and maintenance building. He believes construction will start to move quickly now that the demo work is complete.
The location is ideal, he said, being close to City Hall and county government offices.
“I can’t wait to use it,” he said as he looked through pictures of original mouldings.
The building is rich in ornamental detail, incongruent with the era in which it was constructed.
“Can you believe it’s a Depression building? It’s strong and stable. It has good bones, as they say,” Naser said. “We’d like to revive it back to its original splendor.”
Ornate fireplaces, arched doorways and a grand staircase will remain. A balcony will continue to surround the multipurpose gymnasium and a proscenium arch will be restored as a frame for the stage.
But the building will also house modern amenities, including an Internet cafe, specialized exercise equipment for people with disabilities and a glassed-in rooftop garden.
The main entrance will be moved from West Maiden Street to the east side of the building, where a doorway wide enough for two wheelchairs will welcome visitors. A new elevator system will include state-of-the-art voice and foot controls.
The large pool probably won’t make the cut.
“That’s the big question everybody asks: What are you doing with the pool?” said Naser. “But it’s just too old (to use.) It’s not certain, but we may do something with geothermal heating there.”
The first phase of restoration, projected at $3 million with completion in March 2017, will allow staff to move into 10,000 square feet while phases two and three are completed.
TRIPIL has served 1,314 individuals so far this year, most of whom reside in Washington, Greene or Fayette County. The organization provides living skills training, peer support, nursing home transition services, advocacy and information to those who have a disability.