GREENFIELD — When Bob Sunderland stepped through the doors of the Greenfield YMCA as its executive director nearly 32 years ago, a lot of work had to be done.
The biggest challenge he faced was financial.
“It was on probation, because it hadn’t paid its dues to the national organization,” Sunderland said. “It hadn’t paid any principal on the building that had been built in 1970 — the campaign had fallen short. It owed vendors and had been taking money from the endowment to operate.
“And, everything was breaking down, so every time I turned around, we had to fix or replace equipment,” he continued. “The first five years in this position were spent getting things fixed and making a plan to move forward.”
That’s exactly what Sunderland, whose last day is June 30, did.
After getting the YMCA, along with his board, through the recession of the 1980s, he began to build on the programming the local Y was offering. He and the board started working on better plans for raising money, as well as programming. Then, a couple of additions were constructed to accommodate where the Y was going.
“We had to build back the community’s confidence,” he said. “We had to show people that we knew how to raise money, for instance.”
Sunderland said the Y raised $50,000 in 1992 to build the handicap ramp in the front. That was followed by the west wing addition in 1999 and then the east wing in 2003; millions of dollars were raised for the two. Finally, though it couldn’t raise enough for a second pool, it did raise enough to install the 10-person Jacuzzi, which is used for water therapy.
“We had some rough years, but we got through them,” Sunderland said. “Some years were simply survival years.”
He said once the economy started to boom, so did programs and membership.
“We aren’t a gym,” he said. “We are a youth and adult and family wellness center. The focus has been on exercise, health and wellness. The staff calls people, motivates them, helps them develop good habits. That’s different than a $10 gym.”
Graydon Vigneau Jr. will take Sunderland’s place come July 1.
The man who was born and raised in Grand Forks, N.D., started attending the YMCA there when he was 11 years old — he took swimming lessons — and a few years later he joined the teen leaders club.
“I learned how to organize and plan events and work with kids,” Sunderland said. “I ended up working in that YMCA after I graduated college, went back to college for a business degree, and in 1987, came here.”
Sunderland received his very first paycheck from the YMCA in North Dakota, when he took a job as a lifeguard.
“I was paid 90 cents an hour,” he said. “I’ve received paychecks from the Y for the past 50 years.”
After college, he was offered a three-quarters-time position with the same YMCA he had worked at as a lifeguard.
“They hired me as aquatics director, and I was in that position for five years,” he said. “While I did that, I went back to college part-time and got my business degree. I was then promoted as its physical director in 1978.”
Two years later, Sunderland moved with his family to California, and became the first associate executive director of a newly formed YMCA that has previously been a racquetball club. Sunderland said he did everything from supervising summer camps to overseeing children’s and adult fitness programs.
“The entire staff reported to me,” Sunderland said. “I was very busy, but it was a great opportunity.”
In June 1987, Sunderland took an interview with the YMCA in Greenfield. He had learned about the executive director job through the national YMCA organization.
“My wife and I had taken a road trip to New England in 1976 and really liked the area,” he said. “We wanted to live in a small town, so when the opportunity arose, I took it. I came out from California, and was offered the job after I’d barely gotten home from the interview.”
He said “yes,” and started in August.
Sunderland said his focus has been on mind, body and spirit since he began there.
“That has driven our membership,” Sunderland said. “Members feel like it’s where they belong; where they will get healthy.”
Sunderland said he’s sure those philosophies will continue because it is what Franklin County residents are looking for in their lives.
“The entire 50 years I’ve been with the YMCA, my mission has been to work with people and help them,” he said. “I just want to see the county a better, healthier, more joyful place to work and play.”
Sunderland said for the short-term, he will take the summer off to do some home projects and visit his new granddaughter in California. He said he has other children and grandchildren in the Southeast, so he’ll be doing some visiting there, as well.
In the fall, he said he’d like to get involved with local nonprofits to help with their missions.
“I want to see Franklin County attract more young families who want to stay here, and who want to become members of the YMCA,” he said.
There’s one thing for sure, he said: YMCA members and staff will continue to see him, but as a member, not the leader of the nonprofit. He’ll be working out most late afternoons, like he always has.
“I hope our local communities understand how important it is to have a YMCA in their county,” he said. “They need to support it as members and donors. They need to support all nonprofits. These are the pillars of their communities.
“For being the poorest county in Massachusetts, it’s amazing what we have,” Sunderland continued. “I’m going to continue to work to make sure we don’t forget it.”
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-0261, ext. 269 or afritz@recorder.com.