Hamilton Township to Purchase Hamilton Area YMCA Sawmill Property Expanding Programs to the Community

HAMILTON, NJ – Yesterday evening, the Hamilton Township Council passed a resolution for a letter of intent to purchase the property on Sawmill Road for $4.45 million with the financial backing of NJDEP Green Acres state funding and open space funding from Mercer County. Green acres will be providing a grant for 50% of the purchase and Mercer County open space funding will provide the additional 50%. The Sawmill property is and will remain open space with development restrictions.

This purchase will assist the Y, a long-standing non-profit that has supported the Hamilton community for over 70 years, and add to the open space acreage located in the township for the use of its residents.

“This purchase goes a long way to ensure the future of the Hamilton Y and I want to express my gratitude to Mercer County Executive Hughes’ open space funding commitment and the NJDEP’s Green Acres program for making this possible at no cost to the Hamilton taxpayers,” stated Mayor Jeff Martin. “The Hamilton Area YMCA is a beloved community organization and this sale will help save and preserve their place in the Hamilton community for years to come, allowing our community access to quality youth programming that builds strong children.”

“Mercer County is pleased to assist Hamilton Township in the preservation of this valuable community asset, which will ensure the continued operation of the Hamilton YMCA at Sawmill, and will expand public access opportunities to the county’s Crosswicks Creek greenway,” added Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

The Township plans to lease back the 50+ acre property on Sawmill Road to the Hamilton Area YMCA so that the Y can continue to provide programs and services to the community without disruption. This partnership will allow the YMCA to broaden its capacity to further reach into underserved areas of our community with expanded financial assistance and programs such as life-saving swim lessons, day camp, sports leagues, and more.

“This is a win for our community and for the Hamilton Area YMCA. The Hamilton Area YMCA has been a backbone in Hamilton and with this purchase, the Y can expand its mission-critical services further into the community,” said Rachel Holland, Hamilton Area YMCA Board Chairperson.

“We could not be more thrilled to have the support of the Mayor, the Township Council, and Mercer County, the past few years have strained our organization and with this assistance, we can do what we do best and focus on the needs of our community,” said Diana Zita, Hamilton Area YMCA CEO.