LI Ducks Owner To Purchase Bay Shore YMCA Center For The Arts

BAY SHORE, NY — The owner of a local Long Island sports team intends to purchase the YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts in Bay Shore, to revive entertainment for the community.

Frank Boulton, owner of the Long Island Ducks, and his wife, Karen, gifted the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts to the YMCA of Long Island in 1998, a spokesperson told Patch.

After several years, volunteers and staff raised over $2.3 million dollars to open the theatre doors.

"The Boulton Center was a vibrant center of community life for over 15 years," said the YMCA of Long Island in a statement. "It was home to many great musical artists, countless special events, conferences, training events, meetings, children’s programs and performances."

On March 16, 2020 along with the rest of New York State, it was mandated to shut down.

Unfortunately, the theater faced financial hardships and was unable to secure funding to reopen.

A spokesperson told Patch that the YMCA is currently in contract negotiations with Frank and Karen Boulton who are purchasing the theatre with the goal of its reopening.

"We are grateful for Frank and Karen Boulton and their continued strong philanthropic leadership and support of the YMCA of Long Island, and for restoring and returning this community gem," the statement said.