LEWISTON – The Portland YWCA closed in October of last year, and the building, which housed a pool, gym, residence for women, child care and fitness programs, was purchased by the Portland Museum of Art in July. The museum plans to raze the building, leaving in question the equipment left behind.

On the heels of the sale, Anne Craigs, executive director of the YWCA of Central Maine, called the museum to inquire about their plans for the equipment.

“Much of the equipment is specialized,” said Craigs. “Not too many organizations own a five-lane pool and can use things like lane lines, pool cover, storage benches, lockers, etc. The equipment is quite valuable to another specialized facility, but not to a museum.”

Upon learning the museum was willing to donate the items to the YWCA of Central Maine, Craigs began making phone calls. She was able to gather the efforts of Bisson Transportation, Aquatic Technology, the museum staff, and the YWCA staff to identify all of the equipment that was in good working condition.

“Operating under the clock (everything had to be out of the Portland location by Labor Day) was the real trick,” said Pam Gallant, director of aquatics at the YWCA. “We are pleased to have the opportunity for the equipment, but we needed to make sure we could remove it and transport it within the museum’s time frame. Luckily with the help of very generous organizations we have been able to do just that.”

The Lewiston facility was built in two separate construction phases in the 1970s and 1980s. In the early 1990s the pool was expanded to six lanes and is now Olympic-sized.

“The cost of operating this community treasure is quite expensive. We have been talking about the benefits of having a pool cover for a couple of years, but have not been able to consider the purchase of such an item since they run approximately $25,000,” said Craigs.

The installation of that one piece of equipment will save thousands in heating costs for the YWCA. “To have the museum generously donate such a wonderful treasure trove of equipment is overwhelming to us,” she said.

The Portland YWCA undertook a fundraising effort to upgrade their pool not too long ago. The lockers, pool cover and other equipment were purchased new at that time and will now be donated and transported to the Lewiston location.

In addition to pool equipment, the Lewiston location will benefit from office supplies, child care equipment, playground structures, kitchen equipment and craft supplies.

“Just before the sale, the board of directors of the Portland facility contacted area social service agencies to avail themselves of equipment. Many organizations picked up copiers, desks, chairs, etc. We really didn’t need that type of thing, but the pool and playground equipment alone is worth about $10,000 to us,” said Craigs.

Bisson Transportation’s John Backman worked with the YWCA to make the move as easy as possible.

“They dismantled the lockers, stalls, etc. and transported everything to Lewiston for us. We’ll have to store it until we can make arrangements for the work we need to do on our end in order to install everything,” said Gallant. “In addition, Aquatic Technology is helping us to install the pool cover, which is a very specialized piece of equipment.”

The YWCA is located at 130 East Ave. Programming includes aquatics, child care and counseling services. To learn more about programs and membership, call 795-4050 or visit www.ywcamaine.org. The YWCA of Central Maine is a United Way participating agency.