In February of 2015, the Wilmington Family YMCA lost a portion of its facility after an accidental fire started in the men’s sauna facility.
The fire temporarily displaced members but never disrupted the Y’s mission to strengthen the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
With a little creativity and a lot of support from “friends, partners, neighbors, Y staff, and the Greater Wilmington community,” they were able to continue to be a YMCA even without a building.
Thankfully, three years later, the fire is now a distant memory and soon the YMCA will have a newly renovated $9.8 million facility to share with the community.
The Nir Family YMCA, at their original location, 2710 Market Street, should be ready by the end of 2018. It will be a state-of-the-art wellness center featuring a designated youth wing, a teaching kitchen, racquetball and handball courts, a gymnasium, and a new family pool and splash pad.
You can check out their progress for yourself this Sunday, June 24th between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
All members of the community are invited to stop in and take a free self-guided tour to learn more about the new facility.
Plan to wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes as it is still a construction site. Kids are welcome as well, but should be accompanied by an adult at all times. At the end of the tour, your whole family can even leave your mark by signing the building itself.
To take the tour, patrons should park by the Y’s soccer field and pool via 29th St. and enter through the construction gate near the playground. From there, YMCA staff will be on-site to direct.
To date, more than $8.1 million has been raised to fund the $9.8 million renovation project.
Currently, The Bruce B. Cameron Foundation is partnering with the YMCA in an effort to raise additional funds for the renovation project through a community matching gift challenge.
Until the Nir Family YMCA opens their doors, the Bruce B. Cameron Foundation will match donations of $5,000+ towards the campaign. Contributions to the Y’s capital campaign can be paid over a 5 year period. All gifts of $1,000 or more will be permanently recognized within the new YMCA. Naming opportunities are still available for gifts of $10,000 and up.
Find out how you can support the Y’s capital campaign by clicking here.
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