The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05
1T NEEDS MORE ROOM
SOME TALK OF ERECTING A NEW Y
M. G. A. BUILDING.
Changes to BE Made at Once-The
Swimming Pool-Big Member
ship Increase.

Encouraged to renewed efforts by the
large increase in membership resulting from
the extensive alterations and improvements
made in the Y. NJ. G. A. last summer, the
management has decided to expend a much
larger sum this year than was spent last.
When the contemplated improvements are
completed the building will be relieved of
the dingy. time-darkened appearance 1t has
taken on. The offices will be moved into
the amusement room, and will have check
room attached. A large arch will be cut
from the present office hall into the reading
room, which will be refurnished and redec-
GRATED throughout. The inside wall of the
chess room, above the main stairway, will
be entirely removed. This will let In an
abundance Of light to the present office floor.
which will be converted into a cosy corner,
furnished with big, comfortable divans and
lounging chairs. Arches will connect the
three parlors. A skylight will be placed
above the large light shaft. and floor.
level with the office hall. will be placed,
where a bicycle storage room, large enough
to store seventy-five wheels, will be MAIN
tanned Light. airy paper will replace that
now on the walls. New furniture. new car
pets and hangings will add much to the at
tractiveness Of the parlors.
Whether or not a swimming pool will be
built in the basement depends upon certain
conditions. Jan. 1 letters were sent to the
members, promising that a pool would be
built If 450 new members joined the associa-
ton by May /. A great many members
have induced their friends to join, and but
$50 names are yet required to bring the
membership up to the stipulated number.
If put in, the pool will cost 1900 1t is to
be forty feet long. ten feet wide and six feet
in depth. Arrangements will be made to
heat the water by steam. The pool will
be drained frequently, so that the water
will be practically as pure and clean as
that of running stream. Convenient show
er baths and dressing rooms will be built
adjacent to the pool.
There is some talk Of an outing bicycle
club. Probably more than one-third of the
thousand members have bicycles, and 1t is
thought that club might prove successful.
An effort is being made to find vacant lot,
easy of access, where an athletic park can
be established. The idea is to have suffi-
cient ground for baseball games. If this is
found impracticable. 1t is hoped that plot
of ground large enough for outdoor sports
running and vaulting matches, club throw
ing and the like-can be found. AS the
association has no use for an athletic park
except for three or. four months in the sum-
mer. IT is considered inexpedient to purchase
ground.
THE MEMBERSHIP DOUBLES
Secretary Hildreth gives some interesting
figures concerning the growth of the asso-
citation during the last year. On March /
the membership numbered Loo, while on
the same date last year 1t was but 576. He
thinks. from present indications. that 1t will
reach $500 before the end of the present
year. The building debt has been reduced
to 5000. fully provided Cor. Part of this
years rental income viii have to be ap-
piled to the debt. After this year all rent
ais from the building will be used for i'm
proving the association. The work in the
educational classes was more satisfactory
the last winter than ever before in the his
tory Of the association, the attendance be-
Ing four times large as that of the pre-
ceding winter. AT the twenty-three weekly
sessions year ago there was an average
attendance OF IA. The last winter there
were forty-five weekly sessions, with an av-
erage attendance OF 14l<. The increase in
membership has necessitated the purchase
Of two additional bathtubs. The gymnasium
has been crowded at all times.
The growth In the social life. the Secretary
SAYS has kept pace with the Increased