New YMCA

A giant water slide and teen center are expected to draw students into a new multimillion dollar Cherokee County Family YMCA.

Another $400,000 will allow the YMCA to break ground at its new location on Whelchel Road off Highway 11. A capital campaign has already raised $1.6 million to build a state-of-the-art recreation center with an outdoor water park.

"We will be breaking ground on the new YMCA when we have received an additional $400,000 in pledges and contributions," YMCA CEO Mike Goforth said Tuesday. "We hope this will happen in October."

Once this goal is met, the YMCA will be halfway towards the $4 million needed to complete the project. Plans are to sell the current building to Limestone College.

The new facility will include a gymnasium, fitness center, new teen center, whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and multipurpose rooms to expand programs offered for children and senior citizens.

The 11-acre Whelchel Road site will provide additional space for outdoor sports fields.

Due to lack of space, Goforth noted the YMCA is currently limited in its ability to offer recreational sports for teenagers.

"We are excited that the new YMCA will also include an outdoor water park with interactive water elements and a giant water slide that will be unique to Cherokee County," Goforth said.

Construction of the 27,794-squarefoot facility will take 12 to 14 months. It will feature a 9,640- square-foot outdoor pool, a large lobby, and multipurpose rooms for aerobics, meetings and child care programs.

If you are interested in making a donation, call (864) 487-7556.