Texas YMCA to Embark on $14M Renovation

A groundbreaking ceremony will be conducted at 6 p.m. April 25 on a $14 million building project at the the Bill Bartley Family YMCA Branch.

The work will add 80,000 square feet of what is billed as family-friendly, energy efficient facilities to the Family Y. The public is invited to the festivities from 5:30-7 p.m. that will include music, hot dogs, inflatable slides, a bounce house and more.

New facilities will include::

An early childhood and youth development center (with infant/toddler/preschool classrooms, before/after school rooms, a youth library, cafeteria, conference room, and new age-appropriate playgrounds)

Full double court gymnasium

Indoor soccer/multi-purpose facility

Gymnastics center

Entry plaza

The new facilities will provide space for youth and adult indoor soccer and volleyball leagues, 7-on-7 football, family fitness activities, special needs programs, gymnastics events, expanded early childhood education, expanded programs for school-age children both after school and during the summer, and reading/learning programs. Local youth will be able to train and compete in facilities on par with those in larger communities.

Volunteer Capital Campaign Chairman Dennis Cannedy said, "Your YMCA has had this expansion in the planning stages for the last five years. It addresses so many needs of our community, and we as a Y family are so very excited to see this groundbreaking."

A new road on the south side of the property will lead patrons to a large parking lot in the back with 200 additional parking spaces.

Enhancements to the front of the property include a new entry plaza where 40-foot glass walls will welcome members and program participants. The front desk will be relocated to this area, thus improving traffic flow. A U-shaped drop off/pick up area will also be added to improve safety for for early childhood parents and children.

To date, more than $12.5 million has been raised on this project, toward a Phase 1 goal of $13,500,000. Actual project costs are projected to be $14.2 million. Matching grants and "Wall of Stars" gifts will be explained as part of the grand opening.

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