Martinsville, VA (September 19, 2024) – The Harvest Foundation announced today a $12 million investment to transform a vital gateway to Martinsville’s uptown business district through the construction of a new Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA. The announcement, held at the future site of the new YMCA, included remarks from officials at the YMCA, Harvest, and leadership from the City of Martinsville and County of Henry.
“The YMCA project has great potential to transform the community, serving as a cornerstone for uptown revitalization,” said Kate Keller, president of The Harvest Foundation. “It will feature a centralized childcare facility for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in Martinsville-Henry County that adds important slots to our childcare system. As our community faces significant health challenges, the YMCA will offer a wellness center and other amenities that cater to people of all ages, from our most vulnerable population to the broader community, promoting healthier outcomes for all.”
Keller added, “This project marks a bold step forward in the growth of Martinsville-Henry County, especially in revitalizing West End Martinsville, a historically underserved area. We hope this sets the stage for future development and beautification efforts, expanding amenities and enhancing the quality of life for everyone who lives in this part of the city.”
The new Martinsville-Henry County YMCA project site is a 7-acre tract of land, ideally situated in the heart of the community near the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Fayette Street. The site is near Albert Harris Elementary School, the Fayette Historic District, Uptown Martinsville, and the new Five Points Neighborhood. The proposed 60,000-square-foot family YMCA will include a large fitness center, three full-court gymnasiums, an indoor aquatic center, an indoor elevated walking track, and multiple group exercise and community rooms. An Early Learning Center and many outdoor amenities are also part of the plans.
“Our YMCA leadership is extremely grateful to the Harvest Foundation for their leadership support of this ambitious and exciting community project,” commented Caleb Moore, YMCA Board President. “On behalf of the thousands of residents who will benefit from the Harvest Foundation’s generous support for generations to come, we thank you.”
The total project is estimated to cost approximately $28 million to complete. In addition to the Harvest Foundation’s leadership investment, the YMCA is beginning the quiet leadership phase of a major capital campaign as well as pursuing various funding grants from public sector sources. In early 2023, the YMCA Board of Directors hired Suddes Partners as Fundraising Counsel for a proposed capital campaign, a firm with extensive experience conducting successful major capital campaigns for YMCAs. Additional details regarding the capital campaign will be provided at a later time.
To learn more about the plans for the new YMCA, contact Brad Kinkema, Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA CEO at (276) 632-6427 or brad@martinsvilleymca.com.
Contact: Brad Kinkema
CEO/Executive Director
Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA
(276) 632-6427
brad@martinsvilleymca.com
