THE YMCA in Glasgow is aiming high in its quest to rid itself of its

''chipped paint and cut-price image''.

It has recently opened new business conference facilities on the 29th

floor of the 30-storey David Naismith YMCA building in Petershill Drive,

Springburn -- a new direction for the charity established 170 years ago

in Glasgow.

For many years the name of the YMCA has been synonymous with helping

the disadvantaged and providing reasonably priced accommodation for

people of all creeds, religions or sex.

This compares with the initial purpose of the Young Men's Christian

Association, formed in Glasgow by David Naismith.

However, in common with many other voluntary organisations which

depend on Government and public subsidies to survive, the Glasgow YMCA

has experienced hard times financially and has realised that its

survival may hinge on generating more of its own income.

To this end its chief executive in Glasgow, Mr Bill Harte, explained

that it had employed its own team of professionals to spearhead a series

of money-making initiatives.

Among the first of these is the YMCA's new conference and restaurant

facilities on the 28th and 29th floor of the YMCA building in David

Naismith Court, Springburn.

The Belfast-born chief executive, whose 32 years with the YMCA have

included stints in Asia and Africa, the past nine years in Glasgow,

said: ''We are hopeful of attracting both private and public sector

groups to use our facilities which are completely self-contained.''

He said everything imaginable needed to stage a conference, including

secretarial back-up and transport to and from David Naismith Court if

necessary, could be made available.

Mr Harte conceded that few businessmen may have thought twice in the

past about considering YMCA accommodation -- and particularly the

unfashionable Springburn venue -- for holding business conferences and

seminars.

But he believes the facilities offered at David Naismith Court,

compare favourably with those offered by three-star hotels in Glasgow.

Mr Harte said: ''The food is excellent, the cook is keen to please,

and at around #10 per delegate a day, the venue is ideal for businessmen

keen to cash in on the value for money ethos of the nineties.''

Assistant house manager and manageress of the Goosedubs restaurant, Ms

Edele McCormack, who worked for five years in the hotel trade after

gaining her degree in hotel and catering management, said the charge for

delegates would include three coffee breaks, a three-course lunch, and

the use of the room for a day.

Ms McCormack, from Roscommon in Ireland, said conference facilities

could be made available for up to 50 people.

Tastes from traditonal Scots fare through to Indian and Italian can be

catered for in the restaurant named after a former street in the

Saltmarket where geese often roamed about in the dubs -- large puddles.

Overnight accommodation, including bed and breakfast, can also be

provided at David Naismith Court at #15 for a single room and #25 for a

twin room.

Mr Harte explained that other initiatives, aimed at getting the YMCA

on an even keel financially, involved developing language courses for

foreign students mainly from Germany and Italy.

The courses involve the YMCA providing accommodation and supply

teachers for students during the summer months. Mr Harte hopes the

programme may be extended to year-round with EC support, and that

students from other areas of Europe, particularly the former Soviet

Union, will attend.

The Glasgow YMCA is involved in several projects, which include young

homeless units in Maryhill and Ruchazie.

Mr Harte sought to dispel critics who have suggested that the YMCA has

lost its sense of purpose by entering the world of mammon.

He said: ''The days are gone when voluntary organisations can rely on

people simply to give them money to keep them going.

''What we need now is viable projects housing or community work. We

also need the support of the private and public sector.''

Mr Harte added: ''In Glasgow, most important of all, we have to be

earning money ourselves which helps to demonstrate our commitment to the

work we are doing.

''The aim of our diversification is to improve our bank balance which

hopefully will ultimately allow us to help more disadvantaged people.''