Renovation of the 40-year-old Solvay-Geddes Community Youth Center officially began today thanks to funding provided by two grants – $100,000 from New York State Senator John DeFrancisco and $250,000 from Honeywell.
In the first major structural overhaul of the center since its construction, Senator DeFrancisco, Onondaga County Executive Nicholas Pirro, Town of Geddes Supervisor Robert Czaplicki, Onondaga County Legislator Jim Corbett and Honeywell Syracuse Area Program Director John McAuliffe tore down the ceiling in the center’s conference room to kick off the project.
“I’m thrilled the renovation work is getting underway and glad we are a part of it,” said McAuliffe. “This community center has a historic link to Honeywell. Our contribution illustrates our commitment to support the improvement and enhancement of recreational opportunities here in Central New York.”
When the center was built in 1963, Allied Chemical and its employees contributed greatly to the center’s original construction, donating labor, materials and equipment. Town of Geddes Supervisor Robert Czaplicki noted the center had a “wall of presidents” – photos of all the center’s past officers – that included mostly Allied employees.
“Today is an exciting day in the town of Geddes,” said Czaplicki. Solvay Process and Allied Chemical were a vital part of this community for a century. Now, as Honeywell, they are involved again.” Czaplicki thanked Dave Hardy of Hardy Construction Services, O’Brien and Gere Engineers, Hueber-Breuer Construction and John DeSpirito, a local businessman who volunteers as the project’s construction manager.
“Renovation work will be coordinated with the center’s staff to avoid programming conflicts, ” Center Director Len Pfeiffer said.
The renovation work will patch the center’s leaky roof; repair cracked tiles in the restrooms, locker rooms and showers; provide new electrical wiring; replace warn-out carpets, doors and furnishings; and provide access for the physically challenged. A fully equipped new kitchenette area will be provided; new exercise equipment will be installed; ceilings will be repaired; and landscaping work will be undertaken. The renovations are expected to be completed by spring.
Czaplicki said that during the day, the center serves seniors who rely on the facilities to maintain their health and fitness. Impromptu basketball games are often held during the lunch period. From 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., the Center is filled with school children attending the after-school program, and evenings are fully scheduled with youth sports activities and a Thursday night basketball game.