Y.M.C.A. PROGRESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 July 1938, Page 6

Y.M.C.A. PROGRESS

■ —» ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS TO BUILDINGS FINE NEW HALL ERECTED EXTENSION OF FACILITIES The extent of the additions at present being made to the Masterton Y.M.C.A. buildings is perhaps not realised by the average person, as it is necessary to view the alterations from inside the premises to gain an idea of the magnitude of the work. Excluding the gymnasium the accommodation has been doubled, and the need that determined the expansion of the Association’s buildings indicates the great growth in its work in recent years. The central point of the additions is a commodious hall, 42 feet by 32 feet, erected in Dixon Street, alongside the old building, of sufficient size to seat at least 200 people. This hall, together with the old meeting room, which will in future be available as a supper room as well, will be air-conditioned. Another feature is that a separate entrance is provided from Dixon Street, so that access to the new hall may be obtained without the, necessity of going right through the Associations rooms. It is intended to use the Peacock Memorial Fund for the equipment of the new hall, which will be used principally as a boys’ game room, and will enable the Association to develop its programme among the boys of the town independent of the work in a similar direction undertaken in the gymnasium. The new hall has been completed, and is now ready for use. The opening ceremony will take place on Monday evening. Extensive alterations and rearrangements have also been made with the administration and kitchen services. The office has been reduced in size to allow better access to the new additions, and the kitchen has been doubled in size, with a three-fold service to the new hall, the supper room and the main entrance hall. The kitchen is now fitted up with a gas caliphont, gas cooker, and ample -shelves and cupboard accommodation. In addition to these changes, a secretary’s room and ladies’ and men’s dressing rooms have been provided. Several shoulder showers have been installed, and also bath facilities. The gymnasium dressing room is also being enlarged, and a storage room provided for apparatus. In the fitting out and finishing off of these smaller rooms many voluntaryworkers have come to the assistance of the Association, and a considerable quantity of material has also been donated. A considerable amount of work is still necessary to complete .these smaller rooms. The alterations have transformed the Association’s rooms into one of the best fitted and most convenient suites to serve the needs of its work to be found anywhere in New Zealand. The official opening of the new and improved facilities at the ■ Y.M.C.A. is to take place on Monday next.- The president, Mr W. A. Clarke, will preside, and the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, will declare the building officially open. Representatives of the Ministers’ Association will take part in a short religious ceremonial and an appropriate message is to be delivered by the Rev. D. McNeur. In addition to the presence of local leaders, the chairman of the Y.M.C.A. National Committee, Mr C. S. Falconer, and the National Secretary of the Y.M.C.A., Mr R. M. Brasted, will be present and will deliver short messages of congratulation. The programme will be interspersed with musical items, and after supper the function will be concluded with a dance. A general invitation is extended to citizens interested to be present.