GREENVILLE —
The Greenville City Council may vote this week to back the creation of a panel to look into whether a new YMCA is needed.
If so, an election may be called next spring to float the bonds needed to help build the facility.
The Council is scheduled to consider passing a resolution calling for the committee, as part of Tuesday’s regular session agenda starting at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 2821 Washington Street. A Council work session is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The Council intends to consider and possibly take action on a resolution of support for the formation of an advisory committee to study the financial feasibility and community support of a new YMCA.
The Greenville YMCA building turned 50 this year.
Plans for a new and much larger YMCA inside the Greenville SportsPark have been discussed for more than a year, but the need for the facility is growing daily.
Jerry Ransom is one of the individuals involved in fund raising for the new building and appeared before the Council last month to ask that the first steps be taken to place a bond issue on the May 2013 election ballot.
Kelly Gaudreau, CEO/Executive Director of the YMCA of Greenville and Hunt County, said the organization will do its part to establish a facility that has the potential to benefit a wide range of the population.
The fund raising campaign to build a new YMCA in Greenville was formally launched in June 2011.
Organizers have set a goal of $10 million for the project to construct a new facility, with approximately half of the amount already raised or pledged.
The local organization dates back to 1895, when it was the fifth YMCA in Texas. The YMCA has been in several locations in Greenville, including Burleson College and the First Baptist Church. The existing 24,000 square foot facility was built on Stanford Street in 1962.
A series of studies revealed it would be just as cost effective to build a new structure of up to 60,000 square feet than to tear down and rebuild the existing building.
The Greenville Independent School District and the Hunt Regional Healthcare Center have pledged support for the effort and L-3 Communications/Mission Integration was first major contributor with a $50,000 donation.
The Hope Center and the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Texas are among the other agencies who have expressed support for the project.
Ransom asked the Council to appoint a 15-member committee to investigate the feasibility of calling for a bond referendum vote next spring.
The new YMCA would include a larger pool, a wellness center more than three times the size of the current one, a rock climbing wall, a teen center, a cafe, a computer lab and a chapel. The facility would be able to host and conduct expanded programs for cooking, camping and music.
Local News
Council to take step toward new YMCA
- Local News
-
-
Evans to be named to L-3 committee
The Greenville City Council intends to name a third member to a committee which is involved in the airport lease agreement negotiations with L-3.
-
Flying in honor of those who served
Approximately 900 World War II veterans die every day. Most are in their 80s and 90s, and many don’t have the means to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
-
Boy killed in accidental shooting
The Memorial Day weekend started tragically in Greenville, when a young boy died as the result of an accidental shooting Friday morning.
-
Brown found guilty of capital murder
A jury in the 354th District Court found Micah Crofford Brown guilty Friday of capital murder in the July 20, 2011 shooting death of Stella Michelle “Doc” Ray, his ex-wife.
-
Plaintiff drops lawsuit against Crossroads Mall
A lawsuit filed by an architect who had alleged he was never paid for designing proposed improvements to Greenville’s Crossroads Mall has been dismissed.
-
National relay walk to pass through Greenville today
Members of an organization which backs American veterans are showing their support this Memorial Day weekend by continuing a long walk across the United States.
- Brown found guilty of capital murder
- Statement released by police department concerning today's fatal accidental shooting of child
- Jury deliberating in Micah Brown capital murder case
-
GHS sees highest TAKS scores in district history
Greenville Independent School District has one of the smartest junior classes at Greenville High School ever, according to the latest TAKS test results.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Evans to be named to L-3 committee
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
