Norwich bulletin., 1921-11-29
MAYOR LERoU BREAKS GROUND
 FOR NEW Y. Nj. C. A. BUILDING

Mayor Herbert M. Lerou with a brand new spade In his hand turned over the first sod for the new |. M. 1 c. A. building on Main street opposite tho postoffice on Monday morning. With rain falling more or less heavily the mayor firmly grasped the spade and dug in, marking the first step to- ward q new edifice for which Nor wich has long been in need. After | the first shovelful of dirt had been removed there was a pause while Sec retary Edwin Hill offered prayer bring | ing the exercises to a close. The spade that was used was contributed by the | Eaton-Chase Co.,, and will be preserv- | ed by the Association
 l The exercises began at 9:30 o'clock | with an address by James l.. Case. chairman Of the building committee who said:
 Our gathering this morning marks the beginning Of an event in the his tory of the Norwich Young Mems Christian Association for which we have labored for nearly a decade.
 It was during the presidency of the late Hon. Amos A. Browning, that the directors of the association recognized the fact that the present building equipment was inadequate for the l hfSAh Ol NAiG 4OIdl dcsOG1dLlOll. ana many conferences were he'd to discuss ways and means for improving the conditions under which we were oper- ating but nothing of consequence was done until 1915.
 building committee of seven men was appointed in the fall of 1915. and following the annual meeting of the association in May, 1916, this commit tee recommended, with the approval of the directors, that a campaign should be conducted in the spring Of 1917.
 Much time was spent in the prelin- mary work. Advance pledges were se- cured from some of our most interest," ed friends, prior to the opening of the campaign in May. 1917, but it was understood that unless subscriptions amounting to s125,0 were received, no pledge should be held binding
 By the generous cooperation on the part of members and friends of the association. this sum was sec1red. but because of the fact that the great World War had just began, it was agreed that no construction work should be begun uLtiI the conflict was over, and business conditions had be- come practically normal again.
 This promise has been faithfully kept, and four years have passed since the campaign ended.
 In the spring of 1918. this site up- on which We stand, was purchased. and it has proved to be a most adyan- tageous location
 The exercises this morning, there fore mark the completion of our ef- forts in this direction, and it is with most profound gratitude, that we have met for the purpose of breaking ground for the physical department unit, which will be constructed at this time. This will consist of a modern gymnasium swimming pool, running track, lockers. shower baths, etc, and the two old buildings now on the premises will be temporarily remodeled to care for the social, educational and dormitory work of the association.
 i James c. Macpherson, president of the local '. M. c. A. was the next speaker. President Macpherson said in part:
 cannot help feeling that this pro- ject is not alone a source of congratu- lation for the association but as well a source of congratulation of this com rnunity it is constructive in it's every purpose, in that the association stands not alone for the building of a better physical manhood but for the building 1 of character into the young manhood of his community and the making of a better citizenship in the years to come.
 And 1t seems as if constructive ef- forts is the rule Of today. It may in- terest you to know that in the year 1920 our government spent\ 9226 iper cent of it's income on past, present and future wars while less than eight per cent was spent on constructive en- terprise but it seems as an outcome of the present armament conference the nations Of the earth are going to change that ratio and constructive efforts along many lines as well as along the lines sponsored by such as- sociations as ours will be the rule.
 This new building with it's swim
 ming pool, well equipped gymnasium its social and educational advantages