The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
25th YMCA Dream House is ready
With the snip of a ribbon the 25th Dream House in Lake County YMCA history has become a reality.
With the snip of a ribbon the 25th Dream House in Lake County YMCA history has become a reality.
On June 18 in sweltering weather, YMCA and Mentor city officials, along with designers and others who worked on the project, gathered at the home in the new Lakeshore Highlands Development for the celebration which marked the home’s official completion.
A quarter of a century ago the Lake County YMCA Dream House project began as the dream of a few initial planners.
Since then that dream has been achieved multiple times.
The construction of 25 homes throughout Lake County has helped to raise approximately $5 million for the project’s mission of providing programs and facilities for the community.
Among those on hand at the ribbon-cutting event were and Josh Edgell and Chuck McClintock of JEMM Construction, the company that constructed the home.
“I’m very proud of the finished project,” said McClintock who served as project manager. “It was definitely a humbling experience working with a lot of great people.”
Edgell, partner and cofounder, noted that his team was able to begin with a traditional floor plan and make it flow with the use of transitional elements.
He added that working on the Dream House for the first time wasn’t difficult because the company typically works with that level of build. Also, his team was familiar with several of the designers from previous projects.
“We’re custom builders. It wasn’t a scary thought,” he said. “For us it was more than just a house or the recognition. Giving back to the community was a big part of the decision. We’re helping an organization that is well-deserving.”
Visitors to the home will find unique features throughout.
“There is something memorable everywhere you look. The ceiling treatments, floating fireplace hearth, and fabulous floors and cabinetry will have everyone talking Dream House,” said Karen Krauss of Karen Krauss
Designs in Concord Township. Krauss handled designer coordinator duties along with Kate Weaver of Faux What and Kathy Wallace of Store with Style, both in Mentor.
Diana Kresnye who attended the event with her
husband, B.J. Kresnye, is a past Dream House designer. She said that the outdoor cascading waterfall built by McCaskey Landscape and Design in Chardon is “spectacular.”
“I’ve not seen anything like that,” she added.
Dick Bennett, executive director and CEO of Lake County YMCA, is pleased with the project’s overall success.
“We are excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our Lake County YMCA Dream House. The Dream House is our biggest fundraiser every year. It allows us to keep our mission alive in this community by providing the very
best programs and facilities available,” he said. “Every dollar that we raise goes back into the Lake County Y to ensure that the Y remains available to every person regardless of their ability to pay. We are grateful for the community support and the growth that this project continues to see each year.”