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The facility is providing shelter for the 96 Connecticut Light & Power workers in addition to hosting New Canaan residents who need a place to stay while their homes are without power, YMCA spokeswoman Kristina Barnett said Monday.
Allowing the crews to stay in New Canaan will free up local hotels for others who have lost power and need a place to stay as well as shorten travel times for crews to get to service areas, Barrett said.
The club was preparing for up to 100 utility workers to stay, she said. Since the YMCA has opened as a shelter, seven to 15 residents have stayed overnight, Barrett said, although thousands have stopped by to shower or charge their electronic devices.
"It's been really nice to watch," she said. "It's been a tough time this week, but we're happy to provide a service to the community."
As of 5:45 p.m. Monday, 2,422 CL&P customers in New Canaan still were without power. CL&P officials said this week that power would be restored to all of New Canaan by Tuesday night.
More than 80 percent of the town was out of power after Hurricane Sandy hit the area, knocking down trees and power lines.
New Canaan Police Sgt. Carol Ogrinc said 149 roads were blocked in the hours immediately after the storm.
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