BANGOR, ME – The Bangor Region YMCA officially rolled out plans for its new facility Thursday morning in true “Hollywood” fashion. Before a crowd of community leaders, stakeholders, the Bangor Region Y unveiled a video in a movie theater-like setting at Hollywood Casino that details the vision for the new Bangor Region YMCA. 

 

“Our beloved YMCA has been serving this region for more than 158 years,” said Diane Dickerson, CEO of the Bangor Region YMCA. “It is clear our babies, children, teens, families and adults of all ages need us more than ever. It is so exciting to announce publicly the plans for our new Y which will provide the opportunity for more people from all walks of life to grow stronger in their physical, emotional and mental well-being. This new community asset will help to connect people, strengthen our families, heighten our workforce, improve our economy, and enrich our lives.”

 

The new facility’s name was also unveiled today, the Cathy Gero Bangor Region YMCA. Gero was a longtime member and supporter of the Bangor Region Y who passed away in 2022 after a four-year battle with cancer. 

 

The Cathy Gero Bangor Region YMCA will be situated on a 7 acre site on Main Street in Bangor, near Davis Ct. and Talbot Park. The new building will be 82,000 sq. ft., nearly doubling the size of the current 45,000 sq. ft. facility on Second Street. 

 

Bangor Region Y officials say the new facility will be able to double the size of the Early Childhood Education and Before and After School Programs; provide infant care starting at 6 months for the first time in Bangor Region YMCA history; and add a new STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) Maker Space and a Kids Adventure Zone for children in Y programs. 

 

“The Y I Love gave me a place to grow as a teen,” said Royce Cross of Cross Insurance, a longtime member and supporter of the Bangor Region YMCA. “It is a healthy place for people to grow in so many ways. And now it’s time for the Y itself to grow. The new facility is one that the community will be proud to have, and it's a necessary investment to continue providing a space for children, teens, adults and families to learn, recreate, build team skills, and grow stronger.”

 

The new space at the Cathy Gero Bangor Region YMCA will offer new, state-of-the-art facilities that both feature what is popular at the current facility, while adding offerings that are not currently available. The new Bangor Region Y will include a full court gymnasium and run/walk track, neither of which currently exist. The new facility will also include a new aquatic center with two pools, including an 8-lane competition lap pool and a 6-lane family, instructional, and therapeutic pool. Both pools are bigger than the current pools. There will also be a Community Health Center with on-site support from mental health specialists, a primary care provider, physical therapy and other offerings; and the new Bangor Region Y will include a community room, community kitchen, and a cafe to support social and emotional health for all ages. A new teen center for middle and high schoolers will be added, which will be used for multi-generational use outside of hours for the teen center.

 

“The Y I love is a lifeline for young families,” said Marwa Hassanien, board member for the Bangor Region YMCA. “We have seen so many changes in what is needed for kids, the new Bangor Region Y will not only address those needs, but offer everything a child needs to grow, thrive and survive in our ever changing world.”

 

The new Bangor Region YMCA also has plans for recreational and sports fields, and nature-based outdoor education play areas. The current footprint for the existing Bangor Region Y does not allow for outdoor athletic fields, which is an offering that has been long requested and necessary to expand outdoor programs.

 

“At the center of a healthy community is a healthy YMCA,” said Marc Guastella, general manager at Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway in Bangor. “We were proud to give $100,000 to the Bangor Region Y’s capital campaign earlier this week and hosting this premiere showing at our facility today because it deserves a red carpet treatment. People of all ages can use a facility like this, and to bring it downtown just further expands the vibrancy of this area. I am confident that the entire Bangor Region will benefit from the new Bangor Region YMCA.”

 

“This new regional YMCA will not only serve the needs of our expansive region, but will also help our businesses attract new people to the area, increasing our workforce, and expanding child care for parents who need to work,” said Janine Tremble, President of the Board. “This new Y is a win-win for our community and something our region deserves.”

 

The remaining fundraising goal for the capital campaign is $13.8 million before June 30th, 2025 which will qualify the Y for $10 million in a special funding source. The new Y will cost $57.8 million with $31.2 million already raised in the quiet phase. 

 

“This is a vision that has been created and shared amongst some of our region’s most inspired community leaders,” said Dickerson. “I have no doubt that the vision will benefit all in this region. But there is a lot of fundraising work to do to make this vision a reality.”

 

The expected groundbreaking is later this year, with the expected grand opening set for spring of 2027.

 

Those interested in donating to the capital campaign should visit www.bangory.org. 

 

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