NORWICH – The Norwich Family YMCA prides itself on building strong kids, strong families and strong communities and beginning on Monday, the Y will celebrate 145 years of doing just that.

From Nov. 5 through Nov. 9, the YMCA will be celebrating its 145th anniversary with an open house and member appreciation events. On Nov. 12, 1862, the New York State Committee of the YMCA received requests for methods of starting a YMCA facility in Norwich. During the YMCA’s early years, donations, gifts and fundraising provided all money for operations. From their first location in the Academy of Music Building on South Broad Street to their present location at 68 -70 North Broad Street, the YMCA has seen many homes and has had many children and adults walk through their doors.

For weeks, volunteers have been working to sort through old photos and documents to make a YMCA timeline that will be on display in the main lobby.

YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen said the concept behind the open house is to get people into the facility. “There’s been a lot of improvements, and we want people to see the work that has been completed,” Mullen said. During the week, individuals will be able to come in and try one of the fitness classes or to take a tour of the new facility and see how it has changed. Improvements that have been made include new synthetic flooring in the fitness center, a refinished track and gymnasium, new carpet in the main facility, a new roof, improvements to the dehumidifier in the pool area and many improvements to the mechanical components of the building to make it more energy efficient.

“There’s a lot of work we’ve done and improvements we’ve made that we want people to come see,” Mullen said.

In conjunction with the open house, the Y will also be hosting a membership appreciation week. “We want to thank our members for sticking with us through a trying summer,” Mullen said. “We are a member organization, and we survive because of our members.” Mullen explained that as a staff, the YMCA would like to thank all of its members. Throughout the week, they plan to give out door prizes, give aways and treats of all kinds.