The Community Center site on North Main Street has a new name. At its August meeting, the Board of Directors of Yates Cultural & Recreational Resources, Inc., unanimously agreed to name the site Stork Fields to honor the many years of dedicated support and generosity given by two of its members, Donald and Corinne Stork.
A new sign designating the location and new name is being constructed by Kathy Gernold of KG Graphics and will be erected soon.
Stork Fields will be accessed by Maeske Lane, just beyond the John D. Kelly Behavorial Center on North Main Street in Penn Yan.
Jerry Kernahan, president of the YCRR Board, said, “During this interim period of uncertain funding availability, we want to utilize our land gift from the Virginia Maeske family in the most useful manner, and at the same time, honor the hard work of charter members of the Board of the Community Center Project, Don and Corry Stork. We have started this process by allowing the Penn Yan Youth Lacrosse League to have a playing field on the property. We also continue to address and act upon the possibility of additional athletic fields and perhaps expand that concept to a pavilion, snack bar, restrooms, etc., all of which will be incorporated into the proposed Community Center plan.”
Steve Trombley, president of the Penn Yan Youth Lacrosse League, shared with the YCRR Board the League’s work in searching for land to hold practices and games.
With this new collaboration between the Community Center Project and the Lacrosse League, both organizations can continue their work to meet the recreational needs of Penn Yan youth. As funding becomes available to build the center, it is hoped new areas of the site can be developed for additional fields plus walking trails, notes Barbara Pinckney, spokesperson for the board.
Discussions with the Village of Penn Yan will continue regarding the installation of electric, water, sewer and gas services.
The Community Center Project’s Program Committee chaired by Nancy Jameson, continues to reach out to organizations with plans to develop a website to be used as a clearing house for all manner of sports and exercise related activities in the village.
Other information will be added to the web site giving those interested a means of contacting any group or individuals who offer a variety of health, fitness and recreational activities.
For further information about any Community Center activity, or to make a contribution to the Capital Campaign, contact Lisa A. Miller, Project Coordinator, The Yates Community Center Project at 315-694-1071 or by e-mail at lmiller@communitycenterproject.org.
For more about YCRR, visit www.yatescommunitycenter.org/
