JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – After more than a year of planning, Jacksonville’s New River YMCA has opened its doors.
During the summer, the organization held summer camps at nearby schools to continue offering programs to children.
But a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday afternoon in the lobby of the building to welcome the new space. The 9,500 square foot building will include a group fitness room, a child play area, and a community space.
Schirmer said the building will be more than a building of activities.
“I would like to try to move this Y toward a signature of being the reunification place for parents that may be deployed and coming back, for the parents that may be foster,” said Schirmer.
The building is city-owned and is being leased to the organization for a dollar a year.
55 employees will help serve the communities and Schirmer said they plan to bring in more than a thousand people.
The New River YMCA is located at 159 Chaney Avenue in Jacksonville.
