The Westminster Inn will find new life as an expanded location for the Y of Central Maryland, housing a new fitness center and the organization?s local child care programs.
The Y of Central Maryland purchased the Westminster Inn from the Maryland School for the Blind for $1 million, the organization said Wednesday.
The inn ceased operation on Aug. 20. The building began life at the turn of the 20th century as the East End school before being converted into an inn and restaurant.
“We?re always looking for opportunities and locations,” said Jeff Sprinkle, chief philanthropy officer for the Y of Central Maryland. “When it came to our attention as a possibility, we explored it. There?s a certain appeal to it, the location is appealing, the building was once a school, though long since converted to other uses.”
Sprinkle said the building already houses a health and wellness club and would be renovated to include Y facilities including a state-of-the-art health center and facilities for some of the organization?s child care programs. He said some programs would be available by next spring, with the center expected to be fully operational by the beginning of the 2008-09 school year.
The building is about three miles from the Y?s existing Carroll County Center Y, and Sprinkle said the organization is still deciding what to do with that facility.
“We?ve evaluating,” he said. “Maybe it?s both centers, maybe we consolidate both at some point in time.”
During the expansion and renovation, the Y will continue to operate health and wellness programs at the Carroll Y Center at 1719 Sykesville Road. Child care will continue at the preschool center at 2103 Sykesville Road, and the Chipmunks Early Learning Program will remain at Sandy Mount United Methodist Church.
