Y's work just beginning
Last Updated on 12/1/2008
Published on 7/3/2008
Wednesday was a red-letter day for Georgetown County. The letter: a big red Y. Citizens gathered in a field of dirt off Browns Ferry Road to break ground on the Georgetown County Family YMCA, fulfilling the first phase of a project that began July 1, 2004.
Guests, who gathered under a tent to hear the speakers, were told they were seated right where a six-lane indoor swimming pool will be located. As the drownings of our county's youngsters continue, a pool for swimming lessons has been needed here for years. Even without a facility of its own, the Y has taught more than 600 children and adults how to swim, held numerous summer day camp programs and offered afterschool programs over the past four years.
Once it has a home to call its own, the sky is the limit.
Fund-raising chairman Johnny Trotter told the crowd that about $5.8 million has been raised so far to construct the facility on 21 acres of land donated to the YMCA by Copper Station Holdings. Of that total, 16 acres are buildable, he said.
As more money is raised, plans are to add a gymnasium, outdoor pool and other facilities.The goal for the YMCA is to have a place to teach people how to swim, to promote healthy living, character development, literacy and much more.
While the Y's guiding principles are charitable, it is not a charity.
Once there's a building, expenses will need to be covered. Plans call for as many as 50 employees. And that's where city and county citizens will need to step up and become dues-paying members. Housing growth projected near the Y site could be years in coming.
The Y will be a place for all generations. New board chairman Robbie Jordan said the Y presents a rare opportunity to touch people. He noted his 5-year-old child is taking swimming lessons through the YMCA now, and his 85-year-old grandmother is in water aerobics at the Hartsville YMCA. "There's something for everyone at the YMCA that makes it so special," he said.
That Georgetown County has embraced a project of this magnitude, is an incredible feat. Bishop John Smith put into words what most were feeling at the ceremony when he said, "I believe there's a divine order that has brought this thing to pass."
If the divine brought us a YMCA building, it would be a shame not to support it.
As Jordan told the group at the ceremony on Wednesday: "A lot of our work is just starting."
