Over 20 years ago, the property at 33 Charge Pond Road was nothing more than mounds of dirt surrounding a giant hole in the ground.

But this was only a temporary look for the address — soon after the foundation would be laid for what is now known as the Gleason Family YMCA.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, the Y in Wareham is celebrating 20 years of continued growth and evolution — all to serve and meet the needs of the community, according to Senior Executive Director Debbie Fringuelli.

The outdoor, family friendly event will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to members and nonmembers. There will be live music performed by Paradise Flyer, an inflatable obstacle course, a touch-a-truck experience, games for kids and facility tours. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair.

Food will be available to purchase, including grilled hamburgers or hot dogs with chips for $5 or a homemade BBQ plate from BBQ Master Mac Sprawling for $15 to $20. Scoops of ice cream from Oxford Creamery and popcorn will also be available.
11 friday
“I just think it's a time to celebrate the amazing vision that Dr. [Charles] Gleason had to bring a Y to this community, and also to recognize the leadership of our former CEO, Gary Schuyler, who certainly really spearheaded this project.”

Having been with Gleason for just over nine years, Fringuelli recalls how interesting it was to see, as a spectator, the groundwork done to establish the Y’s presence.

Living in Wareham, Fringuelli said she served as the executive director for the YMCA in East Bridgewater at the time.

“The layout of the facility in itself certainly grew,” she said, adding how the building, which was designed by Gleason’s architect daughter-in-law, Jane Gleason, was done so in a way that would allow for future expansions.

Around 2009, the facility underwent its first “major” renovation, adding a second half for an indoor basketball court, Fringuelli said. The facility has since seen the addition of an upper walking track, an outdoor pool, a second group exercise studio and adult locker rooms as well as an expansion of the Wellness Center.

“And there's still other opportunities for future expansion if we so choose,” she added.

Fringuelli recalls the Gleason staff’s work through the Covid pandemic, highlighting the regimented and almost “medical” way it operated and ran its activities.

“It was super challenging to run during those times,” she said, adding how interesting it was to see the facility come back from that.

However, she said one positive to come out of the pandemic was the creation of the YMCA South Coast Full Plate Project, which provides mobile markets throughout the month for individuals and families facing food insecurity.

“It is really quite remarkable that the Y was able to step up and see a need,” Fringuelli said. “That need expanded and we were able to grow with the program and get funding from the Greater Boston Food Bank.”

The Gleason Family YMCA invites the community to come back Saturday to celebrate all that the facility has accomplished in the last two decades.

“I hope that folks take the time to come back and stop in and just see what the facility looks like now, and appreciate some of the things that it evolved into over the course of time,” Fringuelli said. “I look forward to getting to talk to folks and maybe hear some stories from folks that used to come here when the doors opened in 2004.”