The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-12
Y. M. CA. IMPROVEMENTS.
Directors Will Spend Over $4,000 on
the Building.

Extensive improvements are to be made
at the Young Men ssChrlstan Association.
When they are completed. the building will
be one of the most convenient in the coun-
try. equipped with a gymnasium second to
none Specifications for the various improve
ments were finally accepted at joint meet
ing of the trustees and directors yesterday.
In all between $1,000 and 5000 will be ex-
pended. A little less than $1,000 has been
raised by guaranteed membership. 1t had
been the determination Of the officers of the
association not to contract any debts. but
they have finally decided to themselves be-
come responsible for the Improvements and
stand sponsors for 5000. hoping for In
creased memberships and donations enough
to reimburse them M $50.
Probably the most pleasing changes will
be with regard to the gymnasium, Which is
to be removed from its present location to
the auditorium on the second floor. The
present balconies. supported by iron col
umns, are to be entirely removed. This will
give floor space unobstructed with a
height of thirty feet in the clear. Around
the walls a narrow balcony, capable of hold
ing two rows of chairs for spectators, will
be constructed. 1t will be supported by
heavy steel brackets instead of pillars. One
great objection to the present gymnasium
has been the iron posts, which interfered
with the basket ball games and other exer-
cises that required clear floor space. The
floor space OF the new gymnasium will be
greater than that of the old. Quite a sum
is to be expended for new apparatus, which,
with that now in use, will give as good
equipment as is to be found anywhere.
Physical Director Nehrbas will have his Of
flee in the front room now used for wheel
room and hallway will be built over the
court, connecting it with the new gymna-
stun.
The present gymnasium is about eight
feet below the street level. 1t will be used
for "a wheel room, with, a capacity for 100
bicycles, new shower and tub baths. indiVid-
ual dressing looms, lockers, etc. An arch
way will connect. the new bath rooms with
and made more attractive in every way.
me new bath rooms, seven showers and
two tubs, are to be finished with marble
and granite over mosaic floors. with tile and
nickel fittings. There is TO be an entrance
way to the wheel room from the street level,
taken OIL the present main stairway, which
hallway being built back to the old gym =
1t is the intention to do away with the old
lockers, transforming the room in which
they are located into a room for the exclu-
sive use of the junior members The old
bath rooms on the second floor are not to be
removed, but will be remodeled and made
On the third floor extensive improvements
are TO be made in the quarters of the edu-
cational evening classes: The headquarters
of the State association have been moved to
the Stevenson building, so that the local as
ISOLATION will have the entire upper floor
There is to be no alteration in the upper
stairways and the balconies will be reached
as now. The physical conditions of the in
terrier of the building are such as TO render
the intended Improvements comparatively
simple. Last spring a dark room for the use
of the photograph club was established on
the third floor. This is TO be provided with
apparatus for making stereopticon slides,
taking electric photographs and so equipped
as to make winter photography an interest
ing pastime A good deal of interest in this
work was manifested when 1t was first I'M
deTtaken.
While the turning of the auditorium into
a gymnasium will render it unfit for extern
sive pulpit exercises. portable chairs Will be
purchased for use at the Sunday afternoon