Tonawanda News — SPRUCING UP: Corian countertops used in demonstration kitchen.
by Jessica Bagley
jessica.bagley@tonawanda-news.com
TOWN OF TONAWANDA — The DuPont Yerkes plant has donated some of its brand new product to the YMCA Buffalo Niagara for use in its new branch in Amherst.
Plant Manager Warren Hoy said the company donated more than 1,000 square feet of Corian countertops, made in Tonawanda, to the YMCA.
“What is particularly interesting about it is the material used in the Y is that it’s our new private collection,” Hoy said. “It is some of our newest technology, and it’s great they are going to be able to showcase it.”
Colors of the donated countertops include hot, burled beach and clam shell.
“One of them matched our new facility,” president and CEO of YMCA Buffalo Niagara, John Murray, said.
The material was installed in the Wegmans demonstration kitchen.
The kitchen is a 1,620-square-foot facility that is equipped to handle hands-on cooking classes for up to 16 people at a time, and demonstration classes for up to 30 people at a time.
Hoy said the extra material and colors will be used at other local branches.
“One of our Ys is looking at retrofitting their shower and bathroom partitions,” Murray said. “We are going to use the Corian materials in there. In the next two to three years, the Corian will be used in branches across our system.”
Corian is known for being easy to clean. It is also certified for food contact and stains do not penetrate the surface of the material. It is also resistant to mold, mildew and bacteria growth.
Hoy’s predecessor, Ronald Lee, served on the board of directors for the YMCA and told Hoy about the construction project.
“He was on our board when we started fundraising for the project,” Murray said. “Ron checked with us as to whether we would accept a donation of material rather than money.”
The donation comes after the YMCA donated Corian countertops to the Roswell Park Pediatric Unit for their game room, the Lion Den, a few years ago.
The new YMCA, located at 4333 Main St., just opened Monday, and Murray said it has been very busy.
The facility is 94,000 square feet and has two gymnasiums, five locker rooms, two swimming pools, as well as many services and classes.
“I walked around the Y and it is a very high-tech, impressive facility,” Hoy said. “It was great to be part of that.”
Contact reporter Jessica Bagley at 693-1000, ext. 4150
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