Edison Branch YMCA looks to build toward future
6,000-sq.-ft. expansion to include wellness center, office space
BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer
Even in these difficult economic times, the Metuchen Edison Woodbridge YMCA is still hoping to raise all of the funds necessary in order to expand the Edison Branch YMCA, located at 1775 Oak Tree Road on the north side of town.

With the support of Indus American Bank, the YMCA has already raised $1 million toward its fundraising goal to expand the Edison Branch YMCA.

"At this point, we're really in the major gifts portion of the campaign," YMCA Development Director Helene Zahn said. "We've been talking to businesses and individuals who may be able to help us out in any way possible."

William Lovett, chief executive officer of the Metuchen Edison Woodbridge YMCA, said his organization started thinking about a fundraising campaign about two and a half years ago and that they started to raise funds a year after that.

"Back then the economy wasn't so bad," Lovett explained. "We started to receive funds but as time went on, people just were not giving as much. We are seeing a receptive audience to what we're trying to do, but it has been tough.

Zahn mentioned that Indus Bank has been a huge help in the process with its capital fundraising campaign, titled Edison Branch YMCA: Building for a Better Tomorrow.

"Indus is a company that really aims to help the South Asian community, and our area [is] heavily populated with many people of South Asian descent," Zahn said. "Now we want to reach the point where we can finally do what we set out to do when this whole project first started."

Zahn is referring to the 6,000-squarefoot expansion of the YMCA, which would include a 4,300-square-foot center to complement the existing Wellness Center. The new area will have dedicated spaces for teenagers and beginners, along with additional locker and group exercise areas. There will also be additional space for child care and office staff, along with common courtyard areas.

Lovett said the YMCA might need another $700,000 to get the project up and running.

"We want to remain as debt-free as possible, and that's really why we're reaching out to the community," Lovett said.

Zahn said that with 8,000 members, the YMCA wants to do all it can for them.

"We really are anxious to get things wrapped up," Zahn said. "We really do what to be a focal point of the community."

For more information on the project, call Zahn at 732-516-9200.