YMCA in Talks to Take Over Management of Pannell Building

The Princeton Family YMCA is in preliminary discussions to take over the management of the Henry F. Pannell Center on Witherspoon Street and turn it into a vibrant community center focused on the John Witherspoon neighborhood.  

The YMCA's main operations would still be on Paul Robeson Place.     

“We can envision expanding activities and programs to include early childhood education, summer learning programs and opportunities for seniors in the neighborhood to enjoy fellowship and connection to one another,” said Kate Bech, chief executive officer of the Princeton family YMCA. 

If discussions proceed smoothy, some YMCA programs and Education Director Mary Traub could move into the building as early as Oct. 1, Bech said.

The YMCA already offers some programs at the Pannell Center, including Princeton Young Achievers (helps children from low to moderate income households get ready for the next day of school) and Y Scholars (a mentoring program for kids in grades 6-12). 

“The Henry Pannell Learning Center has the potential to serve as the community’s go to space where residents can feel more engaged with their neighborhood and have a place that connects people of all ages and backgrounds,” YMCA officials wrote in a recent memo. 

While discussions are in the early stages, members of the Princeton Housing Authority are excited about the YMCA’s proposal. “Please come,” said Leighton Newlin, chairman of the Princeton Housing Authority (the entity that runs the Pannell Center). “I think this has the potential to be a really wonderful partnership.”

If the YMCA’s proposal is accepted, PHA would cede daily operations to the YMCA but still retain ownership of the building. 

The non-profit YMCA serves more than 6,000 members and area residents with core programs including aquatics, child care, day camp, family health and wellness, sports and teen programs. The YMCA has some ideas of what programs it could bring to the Pannell Center and Bech says she’s open to community ideas. Among some early ideas:     

• Evening homework center
• Early childhood education program (focus on literacy and vocabulary)
• Partner with school district to offer workshops for economically disadvantaged parents
• Informal drop-in program for neighborhood seniors
• Informal drop-in program for neighborhood seniors
• Healthy living and wellness programs 
• • Expand PYA to include a summer program