OLEAN, N.Y. — A community mainstay aimed at helping area residents live to the fullest is receiving special recognition for its work.
Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce has awarded The Olean Family YMCA the 2019 Presidential Award. The Y will receive the honor at the Chamber’s 114th annual dinner early next month.
The Presidential Award is given to a business, organization or individual that is iconic and integral to the fabric of the business community in the greater Olean area. Recipients are selected by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
“The Olean Family YMCA was a natural choice by Chamber leadership for this award,” said Andrew Caya, the Chamber’s board president. “The YMCA has a long history serving the greater Olean area and is truly part of our community. It’s no great stretch to say that most who live in the area have benefitted from the YMCA in one shape or another.”
Olean’s YMCA opened in 1886. In its 133 years, the Y has grown to meet the evolving needs of those it serves, going from a small space for young men to exercise or study the Bible to a communal hub for overall health and well being.
During the later half of the last century and into the early part of the 2000s, the YMCA operated out of what’s now Lincoln Park Suites on South Union Street.
In 2004, the Y relocated to its current home on Wayne Street, a $9 million facility.
The 62,000 square-foot building boasts an aquatic center with an Olympic-size pool, a family fun pool and a therapy pool; a wellness center with weight training and cardiovascular equipment; an aerobic studio; three gymnasiums and an indoor track; a full-size climbing wall; and a family adventure center among other amenities. What’s more, it regularly hosts fitness classes and wellness events to engage the community.
Approximately three years after opening on Wayne Street, the Olean Family YMCA joined together with the Bradford YMCA to form the Olean-Bradford YMCA.
Seven years later, the YMCA expanded again and formed the YMCA of the Twin Tiers, adding a site in Wellsville. Combined, the YMCA of the Twin Tiers serves more than 11,000 members and another 3,000 program participants. In addition, it also provides after school child care within seven area districts, as well as daycare and early childhood learning services.
“The greater Olean area is very fortunate to have the Olean Family YMCA and we are proud to honor it with this year’s Presidential Award,” Caya said.
Along with the Olean Family YMCA, local lawyer Brian O’Connell Jr. will receive the 2019 L.O.U.I.E. Award and both Angee’s Restaurant and Henry H. Hill Inc. will take home this year’s Enterprising Business Award at the Annual Dinner.
The event is slated for Nov. 7 at Good Times of Olean’s Events Center.
An informal reception will start at 5:30 p.m., with dinner slated for 6:15 p.m.
Tickets for the event are $48 with a choice of menu of John Wayne steak or pasta primavera. Patron dinner tickets for $55 and corporate tables of eight for $500 are also available for reservation.
Patrons and corporates receive a listing in the dinner program.
Music will be provided by New York Standard Time comprising Jan Rhody, Les Sabina and Moses Howden.
Reservations must be made by Oct. 31 by calling Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce at 716-372-4433 or e-mailing info@oleanny.com.
