Community leaders, Garner residents, and YMCA volunteers, donors and staff celebrated the Poole Family YMCA with a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on February 22.
Opening March 7, the Poole Family YMCA, located at 2110 Aversboro Road, is named in recognition of Lonnie and Carol Poole for their generous support. The 14-acre campus is named the Bell Family Campus in honor of the Victor Bell family and their donation of the land.
HOME GROWN
Forty-four years ago the seeds for a YMCA in Garner were planted when Victor Bell, Jr. dreamed of something bigger for his family’s land. Bell wanted to grow a YMCA to serve families in Garner, and even drew plans for the facility.
For the past 20 years, the Y has served Garner youth at a program center. Three years ago, the YMCA of the Triangle challenged the Garner community to help grow a YMCA facility of its own in order to serve adults, children, teens and families.
Volunteers exceeded a capital campaign goal of $7 million by raising $7.2 million to build the new YMCA.
“While we mark the opening of this incredible facility, we are really celebrating the life-changing impact of the YMCA here in Garner, the power of possibility and the power of us,” said Peter Williams, Chief Volunteer Officer of the YMCA of the Triangle.
“What a great day for Garner,” said Doug McMillan, YMCA of the Triangle CEO. “It’s been a busy three years, but the seeds for this day were planted in 1974, when the Bell and Holding families donated this land for a YMCA.”
“This dream has finally become a reality,” said Bruce Murray, Poole Family YMCA executive director. “I’m proud to welcome the community to their new YMCA.”
ABOUT THE POOLE FAMILY YMCA
The Poole Family YMCA is a state-of-the-art facility that has the capacity to serve 5,000 children, teens, adults and families.
Join Today
Visit the Poole Family YMCA membership page to learn more about your new Y. For a limited time, take 50% off your joining fee!
Join online here.
Visit our Facebook page to see our photo album from the ribbon cutting event.
