The Portland daily press., 1895-01-09
Y. NJ. c. A. BUILDING.
Work May Begin as Early as the First
of Next July.


ing-It Will Be Five Stories High and
Admirably Fitted Up.
There seems to be no doubt that before
many months, probably within this
year, work will begin on hundred
thousand dollar building for the Young
Mems Christian Association of Port
land The Cumberland Club, by buy
ing the Jose property, has found home
for itself in advance of the time swhen
it's lease of its presentseuarteIs shall ex-
pre- AT meeting of the directors of
the Y. NJ. A., it has been voted to re-
lease the Cumberland Club. This will
leave the well known old yellow man
sion on Congress square to be moved
away or. taken down to make room for
handsome -storyiblock that will be
an ornament and credit to Portland.
The site was bought by the YIN. CA.
in February, 1892. 1t is lot 9ox1oo feet
and cost the association $25, 500. This
they have paid for. They also have on
hand in cash and pledges that are con-
sidered as good as cash, s27, 900. A bull
ding suitable for the association, for the
city and for the splendid site ought not
to cost less than hundredIthousand dol
lars, and there is no likelihood that a
cheaper building than this will he built.
1t is probable that the directors of the
Y.MC.A. will want about S25, GOD more
in cash before they go ahead. II that
sum should be Forthcoming by the first
of June, it is probable that work would
begin the first of July. 1t is expected
that the sum will be forth coming, and
preparations are under way for the work.
4 Mr.. Frederick A. Tompson, the arehi
teet, of this city, is already at work on
the plans. I his work has not progressed
far enough to enable any definite state
ment TO be made as to the architectural
character of the building. On Tuesday,
however, director outlined for the
PRESS in general way, some of the
leading features of the buildings ar
rangements. 1t will be five stories high.
On the first floor the front will be ar
ranged for stores, while the rear portion
will be fitted up for the gymnasium,
which will be as good as any in the
state. There will be. besides the usual
apparatus, a swimming tank. running
track and bowling alley, and also a
room for storing the bicycles of mem
bers. In the middle of the first floor
front will be the main entrance, which
will be broad and sarehitectnrally ele-
CANT, leading byseasy flights Of steps to
the second floor.
On this second story,-or first floor, If
below is considered the basement
will be the room of the officers, the read
ing room, parlor, recreation room and
boys room. 1t is needless to say that the
rooms will be large and airy, and admir-
ably arranged for their purpose.
On the third story will be the hall,
which, with it's high ceiling and CALLER
les. will take up portion OF the fourth
story, also. This hall will be 30 feet by
90 feet, and will seat 700 or 800 comfort
ably.
This third story will also contain
apartments for the Y.M.C.A. manual
training department.. This manual
training has nothing to do with the sys-
tenn in use in the common schools. At
present the YIN. "A. here has not done
snything in this line, but in other cit
les it has become very useful depart
ment. Its object Is to give to young
men training for the special trades. 1t
is to take the place in a measure of the
old apprentice system, which seems now
to be obsolete in many trades.
The fourth floor, besides what space is
taken up by the upper portion of the
hall, will be devoted to the classes in
commercial training, bookkeeping, etc.
The association is already doing some
thing in this line.
On the fifth floor will be the ianitor's
apartments, and the Y.M.C.A. kitchen,
with elevators running to all parts
of the building. This kitchen will be
useful at sociables and similar entertain
ments.
On this fifth floor will also be dormi-
tories where young men can be lodged
10, all or oil foo