YMCA New Castle's new director brings decades of experience

He says he sees a sense of pride in the community.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Coming to New Castle as the new Community YMCA director, Bill Lutz sees his role as something of a bridge builder.
"I would like to build bridges to the school districts, the hospitals, the chamber of commerce and churches and find ways we can work together to make the community strong," said Lutz, who took over in March. He replaced Dan Harris, who left last summer after holding the job for 10 years.
Job experience
While Lutz is new to New Castle, he isn't new to the Y.
He worked at various Ys in the region in the 1970s and became the youth director of the Franklin, Pa., Y in 1979. Lutz was named executive director of that facility in 1981. The program expanded and eventually became the Franklin-Grove City Y and Lutz oversaw both facilities.
Both facilities were in a more rural setting, and coming to New Castle has provided a different set of challenges for Lutz as Y director.
"It's a different kind of area. I think there is a sense of pride in this community," he said.
Ambitions
Lutz said he has been impressed by the Y's board of directors and the natural beauty of the area. He has even approached New Castle Mayor Wayne Alexander about reopening the city pool in Cascade Park.
The executive director said he's also interested in looking for under-served areas of the community to bring Y services.
But his top priority since taking over has been the Y's child-care program.
"I want to make sure our child care is one of the best in the county," he said.
Lutz is already making plans to renovate the second floor of the Y, where the 55 children in the day care program are located. He said they plan to install a security door to the entrance and make the area more child-friendly.
He's also interested in making internal improvements such as finding ways to transport downtown youth to the Y Sports Zone, an indoor and outdoor sports facility in Neshannock Township.
Lutz is also looking at needs in the Y's West Washington Street facility. He's planning to staff the wellness center full-time, starting Sept. 1. Lutz said he's also looking into new equipment that would be more "user friendly" to older and younger members.
Above all, Lutz said he's interested in upholding the core values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
"I think that is what makes the Y different. You can come here and people do care about you. When you come in, people should know who you are," he said.
cioffi@vindy.com