Through the generous contribution of Paul and Laverne Lorenzini, the Twin Pike Family YMCA is closer to reaching its goal of constructing an indoor aquatics center for the residents of Twin Pike area.  The Lorenzinis donated a building in the historic downtown area of Louisiana.  The building, located at 313-317 Georgia Street, which most recently housed the Old Town Centre in the lower part of the building and currently houses the French Quarter, a nine bedroom bed and breakfast, in the upper level, was donated to the Y to raise funds for the indoor aquatics project the Y has undertaken. 

Co-Founder of the Twin Pike Family YMCA, Karen Stoeckley, had been overseeing the building for the Lorenzinis, who live in the St. Louis area.  She suggested the donation when the Lorenzinis contacted her saying they were considering donating the building to a local church or community organization.  Karen, a member of the Y’s Fundraising Leadership Major Gifts Committee, explained that the Y was in the middle of a campaign to raise funds for an indoor aquatics center, and shared information on the project with the Lorenzinis.  And the rest is history. 

This two-story building was built around the 1870’s and has been home to a number of retail businesses over the past 140 years.  The lower retail sections of the building was the former location of P.N. Hirsch  and Duran’s clothing stores in the 1970’s and  1980’s.  Most recently the Old Town Centre and La Salle Rouge occupied these retail sections. In the upper level, there are nine graciously furnished guest rooms reminiscent of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street.  Each room is named after a street in New Orleans.  Some of the rooms have a large, raised soaking Jacuzzi; all of the rooms are equipped with their own private bathroom, complete with shower.  The building has a second level enclosed and partially covered veranda for the guest’s pleasure, along with a furnished sitting room, kitchenette and conference room.  These amenities make the facility an enjoyable experience for all of the guests at the French Quarter. 

The Twin Pike Family YMCA Board of Directors and staff kicked off the Phase III Aquatics Center fundraising campaign at the end of 2009 with the announcement of an anonymous $1.4 million lead gift.  This gift was specifically given to the YMCA to see the dream of an indoor facility become a reality in the Twin Pike area.  At the same time, the YMCA introduced the Pool Founders “First 500” component of the Phase III fundraising campaign.  This program allows “the first 500” donors permanent recognition on a donor wall that will be displayed in the YMCA facility.  Executive Director, Marsha Garrison explained that “Through the generosity of individuals, such as the Lorenzini family, the YMCA is moving closer to attaining the $4 million fundraising goal, which must be secured to undertake this next phase of facility expansion. The support of everyone in the area is needed to bring this project to a successful fruition.”

This is the second time in the history of the Twin Pike Family YMCA that the organization has received a donation of a building to help raise funds for a facility expansion.  In 1999, a two-story historical home, the Luce-Dyer property located on Third Street in Louisiana, Missouri  was donated by the Merton and Edith Carlson Family to the YMCA  in order to help raise funds for the first permanent facility. 

The Board of Directors of the YMCA has decided to accept sealed bids until April 30, 2010 for the building and/or contents.  Anyone interested in purchasing this property or its contents should contact Marsha Garrison, Executive Director at the Twin Pike Family YMCA, (573) 754-4497.