The new 78,000 square-foot-facility, designed by McMillan, Pazdan, Smith Architecture will rise on the back portion of the existing 11 acre property where the current Pine Street YMCA is located. However, the new building will be positioned to face Ribault Street and will have a Ribault Street address. Therefore, the new facility will replace the name �Pine Street YMCA� and will be known as �The Spartanburg Family YMCA.�

�We are extremely excited that this much-needed facility will now be a reality,� said YMCA of Greater Spartanburg CEO, Rick Callebs. �We have spent a lot of time planning and grinding out details, and today is a day to celebrate that hard work!�

The project is expected to take 12-16 months to complete once the actual construction begins. Once completed, the new Y will be like nothing else in Spartanburg County. It will include a state-of-the art fitness center, a lap pool, a family fun instructional/therapy pool, gymnasium, multi-purpose aerobics/Pilates/yoga studio, child care area, a teen center, multipurpose rooms, welcome lobby, a chapel, office space, and much more. The facility will be easily accessible to youth and those with special needs, and will also include private adult locker rooms.

�Today is a great day,� Callebs said. �The board, volunteers, and staff are excited about this opportunity and are excited that we are to this point. We owe a huge thanks to the community�s support of this project. We are grateful for the generosity of those individuals, corporations, and foundations who have donated both time and money. I am excited for everyone to see the next step where we literally start to see a building come out of the ground.�

The YMCA received many generous gifts including top major donations from organizations and foundations such as Phifer-Johnson Foundation, Mary Black Foundation, Montgomery Foundation, Spartanburg Regional Foundation, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Advance America, The Babb/Buchheit Family, Inman- Riverdale Foundation, JM Smith Foundation, Rick Pennell-Metromont Corporation, and Spartanburg County Foundation with gifts totaling $3,550,000 of the $5 million total fundraising goal.

Just over another million has been pledged by individual donors and members, leaving just a small portion of the fundraising goal still to achieve. �As we continue to raise the last portion of funds for this project, I hope that anyone who has not yet committed to this project will sincerely consider it. This establishment means so much to so many people and has such a rich history in Spartanburg. What a wonderful gift to give to the future generations. Now is the time to pay it forward,� said Pine Street YMCA Branch Executive Director, Leebo Keels.

�For over 100 years the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg has provided a healthy and safe environment for the Spartanburg Community. We have considered it our pleasure to strengthen kids, families, and communities in our previous locations and we are thrilled to think of the possibilities for the future generations that will be touched by this new facility,� Callebs said. �That�s really what it is all about. Doing something today that will impact the future for years to come.�

The YMCA of Greater Spartanburg began operations in 1869 and currently has two locations, The Pine Street YMCA in Spartanburg and the Middle Tyger YMCA in Duncan. The current Pine Street location was built in 1964. The YMCA�s mission is to put principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. They offer a variety of programs for adults and children and offer an annual scholarship campaign to help those who are in financial crisis to be able to participate in YMCA activities and continue to live a healthy lifestyle.

(Image provided by the YMCA.)

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