BY JANET BERNOSKY, Eastern Shore Post —
Construction of the massive new recreation center on the grounds of the David Landsberger Family YMCA on Chincoteague Island is moving forward as planned, with the goal of opening in early 2025.
The new building is expected to be fully enclosed within the next two weeks and then work will focus on finishing the interior spaces, which are already framed out, with utilities in place.
Chincoteague’s YMCA, located in a former bank building on Maddox Boulevard, was named for Landsberger, a longtime benefactor of the facility and other community programs, in 2019.
Unlike other YMCA facilities on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, which are affiliated with the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, Chincoteague’s is part of the YMCA of the Chesapeake — a group of 11 on the Delmarva Peninsula.
The construction project began five years ago, but it was not without concerns raised along the way, including some from Accomack County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Landsberger said.
“This new building is surrounded by water on three sides,” he said. “We had to take that into consideration.”
One such consideration was constructing a stable foundation on sandy soil, in a flood plain, to support the approximately 8,000-square-foot building over time.
The foundation type decided upon, a “monolithic pour,” involved a single concrete pour that is four feet high and also extends several feet into the ground.
This building will remain a separate structure from the original YMCA. If connected, that building would also have to be raised to the height of the recreation center, Landsberger said.
The main feature inside the new recreation center will be a full-length basketball court with removable bleachers.
The space can also be converted and used for pickle ball, volleyball, or badminton.
A walking track will surround the perimeter of the court area.
The center will have its own bathroom facilities, adding four showers to the existing two in the main building.
Landsberger is thrilled that the new facility will enable the Y to once again offer daycare services, as well as summer camp programs, he said.
The YMCA stopped offering child care services due to changes in state regulations.
Two spacious rooms at the front of the building are earmarked for child care, but they can be used for meeting spaces after hours, each with its own entrances.
“I am passionate about providing solutions to help address the childcare shortage in this area,” Landsberger said.
The YMCA will soon name a new executive director to take the helm of both buildings and all programming on site, Landsberger said.
“It’s very exciting,” he said. “However, this is likely to be my last really huge project here.”
Landsberger has contributed to several projects on the island, including the Island Community House and Village Neighbors project, Brianna’s Kindness Park, and the Beebe Ranch purchase.
