Jan 17, 2011 By Rebekah Sungala 4 min read

A new guy is in charge at the Uniontown Area Y, and he’s hit the ground running ready to continue heading down the positive track the facility is on. Rod Berger took over as chief executive officer at the Uniontown Y on Oct. 1, replacing Steve Cooper who served as the top executive at the Y for 20 years.

“There is a strong foundation here,” Berger said, noting that he has spent the last 3 1/2 months acquainting himself with the community and learning the ins-and-outs of running the Fayette County Y.

Berger, who was born in Ohio and raised in Florida, has been a part of the YMCA family for 14 years. He left his position as executive director at the Charlotte County Family YMCA to come to Uniontown.

“This is the second largest wellness center I’ve ever managed, and it’s the best designed,” Berger said.

Arriving in the midst of a multimillion-dollar expansion project, Berger said he found himself busy the first day on the job.

The first phase, which included a 1,700-square-foot expansion to the cardiovascular exercise room and more than $100,000 in new cardio exercise machines, was completed under Cooper’s supervision.

The second phase, which began under Cooper and was handed to Berger, includes construction of a day-care center that will be attached to the Y building. Also included in the second phase are renovations to the front entrance of the Y that will make the building more secure and a canopy that will cover the sidewalk and provide access to and from the parking lot.

Berger said the second phase is under construction and that the Y is still about $100,000 short of having the construction 100 percent funded.

“We really need the support of the community to help raise the additional funding that’s still needed,” he said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by writing a check made payable to the “Uniontown Area YMCA building fund.” All donations are tax deductible.

The third phase of the expansion project, which has no set construction date, will cost about $1.5 million to $2 million and includes construction of a new gymnasium.

As CEO, Berger said he soon hopes to bring technology at the Uniontown Y up to date.

“Right now, we have computers running different operating systems, which means we can’t communicate with each other from department to department,” he said.

Berger said the membership software the Uniontown Y uses is from the 1970s and needs updated.

In addition, Berger said he would like to see area youth more involved.

A teen advisory committee with about 12 members was recently implemented, and Berger said the committee will be responsible for planning activities for their age group to participate in. The committee has representation from Uniontown Area, Laurel Highlands and Albert Gallatin high schools.

“We’re trying to create an environment where teens are more involved and create and plan their own activities. Often it’s adults planning the activities,” he said, adding that the committee is currently planning its first event, a dance to be held in March.

In addition, Berger said he also is working to try and increase membership and looking to see what can be done to help increase the annual fund drive so that the Uniontown Y will be able to financially assist those who can’t afford to pay for a membership.

Berger thanked his family, wife, Debra, and children, Tori, Nate, Chuck and Jodi, for their support. He also thanked Cooper and the Uniontown Y employees and volunteers.

“One of the first things I noticed when I came to Uniontown was how welcoming everyone was. I have a lot of support,” he said.

Berger said that the Uniontown Y has a solid core and that he’s thankful for the community’s support.

“A YMCA is only as big as the community allows it to be,” he said. “The community here is very supportive, and that’s a great thing.”

For more information on the Uniontown Y, or to learn more about programs it offers, visit online at www.uniontownymca.org.