Todd Cover, president and CEO of Belmont Savings Bank, left, and Lori Jones, executive director of YWCA Wheeling, announce a partnership to fund the start of a major renovation project at the Wheeling YWCA’s downtown facility. (Photo by Joselyn King)

WHEELING — YWCA Wheeling kicked off a major renovation project Wednesday with a little help from their friends at Belmont Savings Bank.

YWCA Wheeling has budgeted $11 million for renovations to the 117-year-old structure. This includes $1.5 million upgrades to the facade and outside of the building, and $9.5 million for improving its infrastructure. Installation of a heating and air conditioning system is planned, as is all new plumbing and wiring, according to Lori Jones, executive director of YWCA Wheeling.

Belmont Savings Bank will assist by providing $16.8 million in upfront financing — including $10 million in New Market Tax Credits, $2.7 million in Historic Tax Credits and $3.4 million in state historic tax credits through the National Trust Community Investment Corporation.

“Historically, tax credits don’t come through until the end of the project,” Jones said.

“They (employees at Belmont Savings Bank) are going to make sure we can get to the completion of the project by funding it upfront.”

She promised every part of the building would be touched.

The popular YWCA boutique will be relocating to what is now the building’s abandoned pool area in the basement. And The Health Plan will be creating a health and wellness center in the current boutique space on the first floor, Jones said.

“Construction has started,” Jones said. “They are abating in the basement of the YWCA now.”

Work is expected to be completed by Aug. 29, 2024, she continued.

In the interim, regular operations will continue at the YWCA Wheeling. While renovations take place in specific areas over time, services and living arrangements happening in the space will be relocated elsewhere in the building until they are completed.

There will be beds placed in the gymnasium area, Jones noted. She added that because of the chaos, the organization will not be accepting donations at this time except for clothing.

The YWCA Wheeling has never had air conditioning.

“We are looking forward to having air conditioning, new plumbing, electric and elevators in the building,” Jones said. “It’s going to be wonderful for the community.

“I’ve worked in this building for 25 years, and to think that it is going to live for another 100 is just a blessing to the community and the women we serve. And I love the fact we will be revitalizing this historic building.”

Todd Cover, president and CEO of Belmont Savings Bank, said the bank realized the YWCA Wheeling is “super-important to the city of Wheeling.”

“There are so many programs and services that the YWCA offers that people don’t even know exist,” he said. “We were blown away by the amount of work that Lori and her staff do.

“For us, it was a no-brainer to get this project going in any way we could.”

Community involvement is at the core of Belmont Savings Bank’s mission, added Mike Taylor, vice president at Belmont Savings Bank.

“This project is an impactful way to help many women and children in the area,” he said.