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On February 4, 2006, the C.W. Avery Family YMCA opened its doors for the first time on Wallin Drive. And for the last 15 years, it has truly been a privilege to serve our members and the Plainfield community. 

To commemorate this milestone, the C.W. Avery Family YMCA teamed up with the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce to host a celebratory ribbon cutting this morning at the Y. Although most guests participated in the event virtually, we were honored to have many special guests on hand to commemorate the day.

This morning’s ceremony began with an invocation given by C.W. Avery Family YMCA Advisory Council Chairman Rob Hamilton before Greater Joliet Area YMCA CEO Jim Watts provided opening remarks. 

Watts shared a summary of the Y’s history in the Plainfield community and acknowledged the tremendous support the Y continues to receive from its community partners, volunteers, and incredible staff team. 

C.W. Avery Family YMCA Executive Director Lisa Behounek then spoke about her own YMCA career, which began with a Y internship in 2000. Behounek joined the team at the the C.W. Avery Family YMCA as Fitness Director in 2006. She thanked the Advisory Council for their support and recognized the importance of staff contributions over the last year in the wake of the Y’s temporary closure due to COVID-19 last spring. 

Maryl Betzwiser, in attendance on behalf of the Clyde and Judy Avery family, gave brief remarks on the impact the Y has had on her family, wishing the YMCA continued success for another 15 years and beyond. 

Plainfield Mayor Michael Collins was also on hand and spoke about the impact of the Y’s presence in the Plainfield community. He noted the Y’s state-of-the-art facility as a point of pride for local citizens, and that he looks forward to continuing the strong partnership between the Y and the Village. 

Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tasha Marsaglia then asked Betzwiser to join Behounek and Greater Joliet Area YMCA Youth Development Operations Director Erin Lightbody for a ceremonial ribbon cutting, which concluded the morning’s festivities.   

On behalf of the YMCA, we would like to thank everyone involved in helping us reach this 15th anniversary milestone. Our efforts would not be possible without the hard work of our dedicated staff, the assistance of volunteers, the kindness of donors, and the continued support from all of our members. We look forward to celebrating throughout 2021. We know that the best is yet to come!