Ipohites have grown up with the notion that the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Ipoh, which was originally sited at the old Lido Cinema, is located along Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, a stone’s throw away from the iconic D.R. Seenivasagam Park.
But how many are aware that there is another YMCA at Jalan Lahat, opposite the Anglo-Chinese School? The Lahat Road YMCA celebrated its 103rd Anniversary recently with a dinner at the Heritage Hotel, Ipoh.
President, Mr Leong Yew Kee, gave a review of the association’s activities since its inception in 1910. According to records, the Lahat Road YMCA was founded by Rev. William E. Horley and a certain Rev. Lau Yip Heng to complement the one at Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, which then catered mainly for the English-speaking crowd and the mat saleh or foreigners.
From a shop lot, the Lahat Road YMCA eventually moved to a plot of land in Pusing where members operated a holiday campsite in the ‘80s. However, for reasons of accessibility, the committee decided to relocate back to the city in 2012.
Its new premise, a 3-storey shop lot along Jalan Hussein Nordin opposite the Perak Stadium, is presently under renovation. The building will have a large multi-purpose hall and several function rooms. Activities for both young and old will be incorporated in its expansion programme.
With over 200 members, guests and friends in attendance, the night’s event was made more meaningful with the welcoming of Christmas, as well as the announcement of the association’s homecoming.
Among those who graced the occasion were Dato’ Daniel Tay, Dato’ Yeoh Beng San, Datin Rohsee Yap, Datin Liew Whye Hone, Mrs Ng Yok Hing and members of the Silver State Y Service Club and the Y’s Men’s Club of Ipoh.
The crowd stayed on after dinner singing Christmas carols and jingled late into the night.
OSH
