Work continues as crews with Maxwell Construction renovate the exterior of the Atmore Area YMCA.

Crews have been working for the last several weeks to replace rotted windows with new windows aimed at giving the building a better look along with helping on energy efficiency.

With work progressing, the first part of Phase 1 has almost been completed, Atmore Area YMCA manager Ross Terry said.

“As of this point, we have a majority of the windows installed,” he said. “I think we lack about 18 windows that have been not been put in, but they should be completed by the end this week.”

The focus of the windows was a priority due to the quality of the windows.

Replacing the wood windows was important due to rotting pieces, Terry said.

“We took the old wooden windows and we put up newer vinyl windows,” he said. “They not only help with the appearance of the building, but they are more energy efficient and won’t rot.”

Following the completion of the window installations, the contractors will move onto the next project for Phase 1.

The doors on the front of the building have several issues including falling off the hinges.

The new doors will be metal and will be put in the next couple of weeks, Terry said.

“Once the windows have been completed, we will move onto the next project, which involves the front doors,” he said. “We will take the doors that are there currently down and replace them with metal doors.”

After all tasks for Phase 1 have been completed, a second phase will be looked at by Terry and the Board of Directors at the Y.

The next phase includes added amenities for members, Terry said.

“For the second phase of the project, we are looking at showers,” he said. “We are getting a price worked up on that at this point.”

The showers would add the ability for more members to work out prior to heading to their job in the mornings, Terry said.

“Upstairs we have two restrooms that we are not using at this point,” he said. “We want to add showers in each of those along with lockers and a changing area. It would be a great addition for our members who would like to work out in the morning and then get ready for work.”

One thing involving the renovations at the Y has changed with some painting being taken out of the plan.

After seeing that the paint could be cleaned with a good washing, it was decided that the building did not need to be painted, Terry said.

“We had planned to paint the entire building,” he said. “After taking off the paint of the bottom part, we decided that pressure washing would clean it up. We do plan on painting the windows and the trims, but nothing else on the building.”

The first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed before Williams Station Day in October.