YMCA breaks ground on new complex

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 15, 2004

Despite spending an hour at a construction site under a cloudy sky in the chilly weather, the throngs of people gathered at the future site of a new YMCA complex were all smiles.

The YMCA held a groundbreaking ceremony on the Medical Center Parkway construction site, and everyone was proud to be part of it.

“Our wildest dreams are coming true,” said the Master of Ceremonies Johnny Morris.

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Morris, along with members of the Selma-Dallas County YMCA Board of Directors, the Capital Campaign Leadership Committee and dozens of well-wishers and community leaders gathered to celebrate the completion of the largest fundraising effort in Selma history, according to city officials.

“In less than a year,” Ted Henry, of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee said, “over $2 million has been raised.”

Henry shared the spotlight with Ronnie Leet.

Leet shared everyone’s enthusiasm about the project, but he was most excited about the new Y’s daycare facilities.

“We’re real proud of childwatch (the nursery facility),” Leet said.

Morris said the effort faced some tough times, and the groundbreaking ceremony was the completion of nearly a decade-long effort to raise money to build the sprawling complex.

“We have moved beyond the agony of near defeat and are prepared today to experience the thrill of victory,” he said.

According to John Calame, Chair of the YMCA Long Range Planning Committee, the facility will cost $5,000,000, and will be a state of the art complex for the citizens of Selma and Dallas County.

The new Y will have two swimming pools – complete with a winding water slide – a child care area, a fully stocked wellness center, pool tables and nearly everything families and children in the area could ever want in a community center.

Calame said the facility is part of an effort by the YMCA and other community leaders to foster development in the Selma-Dallas County area.

“We hope to see the city of Selma grow,” he said.

The YMCA facility has been a long-time dream of local YMCA board members and elected officials.

Dr. George Woods, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said the facility was the culmination of years of work.

“This thing’s been a long time coming,” he said.

Mayor James Perkins pointed out that the facility was one of a number of new buildings going up at the end of Medical Center Parkway.

“You can see from all the buildings around here that Selma does have a bright future,” he said.

Angie Miller, CEO of the YMCA, was emotional as she thanked members of the committee and the staff and Executive John Solomon, for working with her on the project.

“We’re a pretty good team,” she said. “These (the staff) are the people that have waited many, many years for this day.”

Still, everyone at the gathering knew what the new YMCA was for: the children.

Jerome Deese and Cate Gilmer both seniors, at Central Christian and Morgan, respectively, explained to the crowd what the new facility meant to them.

“It means so much for me to see the community of Selma build a new Y,” Cate said.

“I’ve been looking for this day (for) about four years,” Jerome said. “Finally, the next, next, next year is here and we’re going to get the new Y.”