YMCA to build $3.6 Northumberland facility
A wide cross section of the Northumberland County community is joining forces to make a dream a reality – construction of a new, $3.6 million state of the art YMCA facility in Heathsville.
The Northumberland Family YMCA, a division of the Peninsula YMCA, has signed a 50 year lease with Northumberland County for the Northumberland County High School Gymnasium and 16 acres of adjacent property.
“With the high school moving to its new facilities, the county was looking for a productive use for the present school buildings and grounds,” said Betty Hall, Chair of the Northumberland Family YMCA Campaign Committee. “We are thrilled to be able to take advantage of the opportunity this incredible piece of property provides.”
The gym will be converted to a 22,000 square foot fitness center, featuring a regulation size basketball court, fitness and wellness center with cardio equipment, a child watch center, aerobics studio, men’s, women’s, and family locker rooms, and teen/senior community and multipurpose rooms. The crown jewel will be a competition and family swimming pool.
“The pool is a very important part of our plan, since we want to emphasize swimming for both sport and recreation,” Hall said.
Under the plan, the YMCA would continue to serve as the provider of Northumberland County’s recreation program, and with the new pool Hall says the YMCA, partnering with the American Red Cross and the county school system, could make swimming lessons available to every second grader in the county.
Planning for a new YMCA facility began long before the high school property became available. In 2005 the Campaign Committee retained the services of J.D. Rhodes Associates to survey the community’s attitude about the need for improved health and fitness facilities. The community responded with a wealth of enthusiastic input and guidance.
“The response was wonderful,” Hall said. “Most people told us, ‘it’s about time Northumberland County had a facility like this.’”
The consultants interviewed individuals and couples one on one, and met with more than 25 groups. All the feedback was encouraging. A whopping 87 percent said they did not believe the present YMCA facilities in Northumberland were adequate.
“In addition to families like mine who have never enjoyed the benefit of a facility like this, we learned that many people who have moved here from areas like Fairfax and Richmond were accustomed to having health club facilities in their communities, and it was one thing they missed,” Hall said.
Though there will continue to be plenty of activities for children, the new YMCA will add a number programs for adults age 45 plus. Many county residents who were interviewed by the consultants said they would eagerly participate if the programs were provided.
Financing for the facility will come mostly from citizens of Northumberland County, who will have the opportunity to make donations in any amount. Hall says some may choose to make memorial contributions, naming the various parts of the facility – such as the Teen Center or Aerobics Center – for a loved one.
In addition to the memorial rooms and areas, donors making an investment in the Northumberland Family YMCA capital campaign will be acknowledged and recognized on a special donor wall, in a prominent location within the facility.
“This facility will be a major asset to Northumberland County,” said county administrator Kenneth Eades. “The pool, the activities, the entire scope of the planned facility will be a definite plus for the residents of Northumberland County.”
With the lease signed and the plans developed, the serious task of raising money to convert the high school gym into a state of the art fitness center begins. Joining Hall in this Capital Campaign drive are community leaders such as Kathy Wall Eskridge, immediate past Chair of the NFYMCA Board, Dr. Stephen Radcliffe, incoming Chair, Facility & Advisory Committee members, present and past board members, and hosts of volunteers.
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