Mystic YMCA to be renamed following $1 million gift

Mystic — The Ocean Community YMCA has announced that it has raised an additional $1.2 million for the $7.2 million renovation and expansion project of its Mystic branch thanks to a donation from the Naik family of Mystic.

In appreciation, the YMCA Board of Directors has decided to name the Mystic branch as the Naik Family YMCA.

In May, YMCA President and CEO Maureen Fitzgerald announced that Sekhar and Archana Naik had agreed to donate $800,000 toward the project and would chip in an additional $200,000 if the YMCA could collect an additional $200,000 in matching donations by mid-August.

Fitzgerald said the YMCA has collected an additional $225,000 from 103 donors who gave between $50 and $10,000.

This match boosted the Naiks’ contribution to $1 million, the first time a family has made a $1 million gift to the YMCA.

“We’re very pleased that members of the YMCA have responded to the offer by the Naiks and we thank the Naik family for this tremendous gift that will benefit the community at large,” she said. The YMCA has now collected $4.2 million for the project and is continuing to raise funds. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at bit.ly/mysticYMCA or by contacting Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@oceancommunityymca.org.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the project has been slated for Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. Plans call for 12,500 square feet of new space as well as new locker rooms, additional parking, exercise studios, a teen center, dedicated child care room ,community room and an expanded wellness center. The building will be handicapped accessible with an elevator and new HVAC systems. A new entrance will re-orient the building to overlook the Mystic River. The YMCA will remain open during that time. The work is expected to take 13 months to complete.