Geographically, it was convenient to travel for the greatest number of Ukrainians. The scenic view from the Shawangunk Mountains with a vista of the Catskill Mountains is one no one forgets, reminiscent of our own Carpathian Mountains.

The initial purchase of 300 acres of the Dr. Foord Sanatorium, which for 40 years operated as a health spa for patients recuperating from major operations, included the Main House, Vorochta, Poltava, Clubhouse, Uzhorod, Chernivtsi, a pond and 30 acres across the road.

Title to the property passed in June 1951, too late to open, so Plast was given the use of Uzhorod as a summer camp for children that summer.

Seven years of vacancy had taken its toll. Buildings had to be cleaned thoroughly, rooms painted, vines growing on buildings removed, wild sumac and brush cleared, roads and parking lots made or improved.

The biggest project, the Main House, had a small dining room, seating at most 50 people, wooden beams had deteriorated, an old inoperable kitchen, therapy rooms, examination rooms, exercise rooms, showers and an indoor pool measuring 12 ft. by 12 ft. were no longer useful. An engineer drew plans for renovation, which called for installation of steel beams for the entire basement and lobby. Doing this necessitated demolishing the basement concrete floors, walls and ceiling, replacing all water lines and sewage pipe.

The kitchen was entirely redesigned with walk-in refrigerators, new ranges, a steam serving counter, work tables, commercial duty mixers, peelers, meat grinders, meat saws, etc.

The new dining room relocated in the basement accommodated well over 220 people.

With these major renovations complete, Soyuzivka had its grand opening in 1952 with some 10,000 loyal U.N.A members listen to Pres. Dmytro Halychyn dedicate this "small piece of Ukraine in America."

Unforeseen problems arose. The water supply system adequate heretofore for the 40-45 guests was insufficient for 250-300 weekly guests plus the influx of weekend guests. Eventually the managers solved the problem by drilling more wells and a steel storage reservoir tank of 400,000 gallons at a cost of $25,000. The old reservoir, which leaked was repaired and rebuilt adding another 160,000 gallons storage. While most of our water is delivered by gravity from streams, during dry spells in July and August the 3 drilled wells are called into service. Of course new water pipes were installed to and from the reservoirs to all buildings.

Eventually, all four sewage systems, the Main, Kiev, Chernivtsi, and Lviv had to be renovated with new pipes and leeching systems.

The old swimming pool measured 20 ft. x 40 ft., entirely too small. Our engineer designed a new pool, "L" shaped, measuring 80 ft. in length of each leg, by 46 ft. wide in the swimming end by 33 ft. at the diving leg. A large patio surrounds the pool for those who prefer lounging in the sun. Soyuzivka's manager built the pool, hiring carpenters, masons and using Soyuzivka's maintenance man for plumbing and filter hook up and our own workers for pouring concrete, landscaping and other heavy work. Koven Pool Co. installed the steel pool. The pool cost U.N.A. $78,000. The same pool built for another party the same year cost $150,000.

The pool proved a major attraction, beautifully set with a view of the sky and distant mountains. 

Entertainment Saturday nights proved a problem. First held in the Lobby then moved to the Clubhouse, which was too small. A small platform was erected in front of the Clubhouse as the orchestra played on the porch. It was such a success that the U.N.A. executives allowed the manager to tear it down and build a larger one. In 4-5 years as the wood deteriorated, it became obvious a Recreation Hall was needed, especially when it rained and dancing outdoors was impossible. The new Recreation Hall featured outdoor dancing "under the stars" or inside and became an instant success drawing our youth from Connecticut, NY, New Jersey , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and even Montreal Canada for the Friday and Saturday night dances. Two to 3 thousand people came regularly on weekends.

Concurrently the cocktail lounge was expanded, as was the Snack Bar. The success formula was simple. Every Saturday night an outstanding show of prominent Ukrainian artists, instrumentalists, folk dance groups and choruses was followed by ballroom dancing upstairs, weather permitting, to the music of Amor Orchestra.

The décor of the Recreation Hall and Cocktail Lounge is outstanding for the beautiful paintings of Edward Kozak who depicts the costumes worn in various regions of Ukraine as well as Ukrainian folk scenes.

We were concerned about not having activities for our Ukrainian youth. Consequently, from having only one tennis court, we bulldozed and leveled land so that Soyuzivka now has seven courts. Similarly, a soccer field, a volleyball court, a basketball court and baseball field are all available.

Holiday weekend tennis tournaments and swimming competitions have 150 contestants taking part.

Parking lot accommodations have been increased. Trees had to be cut, land bulldozed to a level surface. Roads over the years have been widened and asphalted, speed bumps and other traffic control measures made.

The original Soyuzivka rooms had ancient high-boy water closets, abnormally sized bathrooms, furniture. Walls and closets have all been redone over the years. Eight to ten rooms, or an entire building each year have been modernized and it never ends, as bed furniture and furnishings are replaced.  

The original purchase of Soyuzivka for $ 72,000 did not include Kiev, which was bought for $25,000 or Lviv for $32,000. Later 62 acres obtained from the Shevchenko Society for $124,000 and a single family house near the gate entrance for $77,000 added to the Estate.

Kiev necessitated major work in converting it to hotel rooms each with private baths. Lviv, a private home, was converted to a Children’s Camp.

The new Recreation Hall made it possible for many Ukrainian institutions to hold meetings here. One of the first to organize was the Ukrainian Doctors Organization, which for years met annually with the Ukrainian Engineers for a weekend. Then came various class reunions: Regensburg, Mittenwald, Salzburg, and others, Ukrainian American Veterans, Ukrainian Youth Leagues of NJ, of North America and the Ukrainian Heritage Society, U.N.A. Senior Citizens, Plast, Olympiads, Carpathian Ski Club, and many others.

What has religion to do with U.N.A.? Everything - the UNA built an outdoor chapel, which served the initial religious needs of our members for twenty years. All collections at the Catholic masses were sent to the Bishop in Stamford at the end of each year. When the small parish decided to build a church, the Bishop gave back these monies to the parish to start their church. The UNA donated 4 acres of land to the Church and all fill used was taken from Soyuzivka grounds at no charge.

A senior citizen residence named "Halych" with 11 living quarters, a lobby-recreation room and elevator was built for $325,000.

To comply with state laws mandating standards for workers living quarters, another new building "Sitch" was built to accommodate 60 workers plus staff at a cost of $700,000.

Was it all worth it? Ukrainians from all over the world come to see this gem of Ukrainian tradition and culture still being maintained in America. Many of our youth met and married here. Their children now come to the children's camp, cultural courses or with their parents.

A whole community of Ukrainian’s, have chosen to buy homes to live here in their retirement or make their livelihood here.