Inside look at Burke County's new YMCA building opening this summer

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

(News 12 This Morning)

WAYNESBORO, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- A big project in Burke County is creating a lot of buzz for families. In less than two months, the newest Family YMCA is opening its doors in Waynesboro.

It's a project that started as an idea years ago, but the newest Family YMCA is quickly taking shape in Burke County.

"There has been more excitement about this than since the football team won the state title," said Merv Waldrop, Burke County Administrator.

Looking at the plans on paper, maybe it's no hard to see why.

"We'll have an 8 lane pool and a lazy river, two slides, a splash pad," described Randall Collins, the District Branch Executive Director, "And then we'll have a bath house outside with two changing rooms and restrooms."

The $6.3 million project is creating the first public pool for the county. On the inside, a spin theater, group exercise rooms, and more open space for equipment.

"Any YMCA that's opening for the first time in a new community is so exciting, and this community has really rallied behind this effort," said Danny McConnell, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Augusta.

More than 100 people are already singed up to be members, but they're hoping to have 1,500 by the end of the year.

"We've had hundreds of people that we've talked to in the last couple of months that are signing up for member ships," said Collins, "And they're just excited about the Y coming to the community."

A brand new facility that could leave an impact for years to come.

"Creating an atmosphere of a healthy lifestyle and the dividends may be 20 years from now as we see a more healthy community, as people start working out and taking care of themselves," said Waldrop.

The Burke County YMCA will open in June 2019.