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YMCA, JCC host ribbon cutting ceremony for on-campus merged facility

The JAY Wellness Center – a merger of the Jamestown Area YMCA's downtown branch and JCC Total Fitness – is officially open on the Jamestown Community College campus.

During a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, John Barber, YMCA CEO, and Dr. Daniel DeMarte, Jamestown Community College president, officially announced the opening of the JCC Branch. Before the ribbon cutting, several speakers took center stage to congratulate the two organizations on a potential area-level game changer through this collaborative effort.

Representatives from state Sen. George Borrello’s office, Assemblyman Andrew M. Molitor and County Executive PJ Wendel discussed how the merger will benefit the community. Additionally, Mayor Kim Ecklund and several board members from each organization also participated in the discussion.

Barber said this merger is part one of at least a three-part process for JCC and the YMCA to team up and better serve the community, the student body at JCC, facility members, employees and others.

"This is phase one,” he said. “This collaboration will benefit students, family members, employees, young people, and the community. This is just the first step, though."

Barber stated that phase two of the merger will include the official launch of an early childhood center at the Y’s JCC Branch, located at 525 Falconer St.

"We are scheduled to launch an early-childhood education and daycare center in 2027," he said. "This will double the number of children and families the Y will be able to serve."

The YMCA Heritage House Child Care Center at 155 Prather Ave. will transfer operations to the JCC Branch, allowing it to provide programming and services to more than 100 children, added Barber.

DeMarte said the YMCA and JCC shared many of the same values, mindsets, and mission-driven philosophies, making the partnership a joint effort.

"The whole community will benefit from this partnership," he added.

Judge George Panebianco, representing the YMCA Board of Directors, expressed concerns regarding the Jamestown Y’s Downtown Branch on Fourth Street. He noted that one of the main issues is the lack of parking available. He also mentioned that some Jamestown parking enforcement officers, colloquially known as ‘meter maids,’ tend to congregate around Pine Street and Fourth Street, waiting to give out tickets, and that this would no longer be a problem at the new location.

"You know, at the Y's old location, if you worked out too long. ...you'd get a parking ticket. I never had that problem of working out too long," he said as he patted his belly, laughing. "There's plenty of parking here."

Barber said part of the merger included upgrading some of the workout equipment offered by both organizations.

"All the cardio equipment is brand new, and the strength training equipment is less than a year old," he said.

Barber, DeMarte, and Panebianco thanked the numerous granting foundations, government officials, and the board of directors and trustees for their support of the merger.

The $48 million project has received $3 million in state funding through the Western New York Regional Council Pro-Housing Community Fund.

“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is making historic investments that transform regional economies and elevate the quality of life for local families,” said Hope Knight, president, CEO and Commissioner of Empire State Development. “The JAY represents a visionary approach to community infrastructure, blending education, childcare, and wellness into a dynamic hub on the JCC campus. By modernizing athletic assets, creating an early learning center, and expanding workforce wellness, this project drives significant economic benefits to Chautauqua County. It will act as a catalyst for talent retention, job creation, and long-term vitality in Jamestown.”

With the completion of Phase One renovations to the existing JCC Physical Education Complex, YMCA’s membership-based downtown wellness operations have successfully been shifted to the campus athletic facilities. The initial integration ensures that area residents continue to have uninterrupted access to premium cardio, strength-training, aquatic, and indoor track spaces while the partners move ahead with the next steps of full-scale development.

Future phases of the project will include:

– New Health and Wellness Center: Encompasses approximately 58,000 square feet of new construction for expanded YMCA services.

– New Early Learning Center: JCC was recently awarded a $2.89 million state grant by Governor Hochul to establish a state-of-the-art childcare facility on campus. Scheduled to open in September 2027, the center will feature infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms, along with secure outdoor playgrounds to serve more than 100 children in partnership with the YMCA.

– Athletic Field Overhauls: Structural upgrades are progressing to transform current campus grounds into premium turf fields with custom overlays for varsity and community baseball and softball.