GRANT TO YMCA FOR NEW FACILITY

DANVILLE YMCA RECEIVES $8.1 MILLION GRANT FOR NEW FACILITY

The Danville Family YMCA announced today that the Danville Regional Foundation has approved a capital grant in the amount of $8.1 million to jumpstart the YMCA’s capital campaign to build a new facility. The YMCA still needs to raise $5.4 million to fully fund the new facility through donations from local individuals, businesses, and grants. Further details about the capital campaign will be announced this summer.

“This news is not only good for the YMCA, it is great for Danville,” Sarah Folmar, CEO of the Danville YMCA said. “A new facility will be a cornerstone for our community. According to our recent marketing study, a new facility will be able to serve over 4,300 households with essential programs, activities, and resources. Unfortunately, due to its age and condition, our current facility is not able to be updated or expanded to meet the needs of a changing health demographic, but the new facility will integrate the community’s needs into the design.”

The Danville Family YMCA is a key community resource for the delivery of life changing programs in aquatics, sports, health & wellness and childcare. With this gift and the upcoming capital campaign, the YMCA is eager to expand its offerings to the community by adding more programs and services that serve more people of all ages, races, income levels, religions, and abilities.

Brenda Arthur, Danville YMCA Board President states, “On behalf of myself and the board members, we would like to thank the Danville Regional Foundation for supporting us with this very generous grant. We still have work to do to make the new facility a reality, but with the community’s support, we can make it happen. A new facility will have a positive economic impact on the area and will be able to provide more opportunities to help families in the area become stronger and healthier.”

Speaking on behalf of the Danville Regional Foundation, Karl Stauber, CEO says, “A world-class YMCA is critical to building a healthier region. This region faces many health challenges like obesity and cardiovascular related deaths. We can change our situation. We all need to get smarter and more active and the YMCA plays a critical role in this. DRF is happy to be the lead funder on this critical effort, but now we all need to step up to make this happen.”

The plans for the new facility are in the advanced planning stages. According to the marketing study, the overwhelming majority of respondents preferred a location in the downtown or riverfront area. A site selection committee has convened to determine the best location to meet the needs of the community. Updates about the new facility will be provided with the official Kickoff for the Capital Campaign this summer. If you are interested in supporting this effort or volunteering to help, please contact Sarah Folmar, CEO of the Danville YMCA at (434) 792-0621 or sarah.folmar@gamewood.net.

The mission of the Danville Family YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

The Danville Regional Foundation is a catalyst for innovation and agent for transformation. Understanding that significant community change takes time, the Foundation invests for the long term in efforts that promise sustained positive impact for the Dan River region. The Foundation is committed to the development, promotion, and support of activities, programs, and organizations that address the health, education, and well-being of the region’s residents.

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