Worcester News

Heating problem closes YWCA Central Mass. until further notice

  • Posted by Worcester News 11 hours ago - Filed in News - #Worcester  #YWCA of Central Mass.  #local news  - 4,049 views

    Heating problem less than 4 years after $24 million renovation

    WorcesterMA YWCA
    Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    A heating problem has forced the closure of all programming at a large Worcester nonprofit.

    YWCA Central Mass. announced shortly before 1:30 on Tuesday afternoon that it was closing for the day because of the heating problem.

    Later Tuesday, at 7 p.m., it posted that it would also be closed the following day. It wrote in a social media post: "YWCA Main office at 1 Salem Sq, including the Fitness Center, pool and Child Care, will be closed TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 22 due to a heat issue."

    Less than 24 hours later, at 5:30 Wednesday afternoon, YWCA announced via social media that it would remain closed indefinitely, posting, "YWCA will be CLOSED until further notice due to a heating issue."

    YWCA Central Mass. provides, "housing, child care, and shelter from domestic violence to at-risk communities," according to a Worcester Business Journal article. A 2023 Worcester Business Journal article reported, using 2020 data from Guidestar.org, that YWCA employs over 300 people and has annual revenues in excess of $10 million per year.

    The closure comes less than 4 years after YWCA completed a $24 million renovation.

    The renovation included an updated heating system, according to an article in the Telegram & Gazette, which reported: "The renovation and construction, in partnership with Consigli Construction and others, included upgrades to the building infrastructure, STEM-aware childcare learning and play areas, a new playground, additional transitional housing spaces, secure mentoring spaces, updated heating and cooling systems, and improved security throughout the building."

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