Richard's Real Estate Thoughts: Chattanooga Downtown YMCA completes $5 million renovation

The last meeting of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors featured Bill Rush, Executive Director of the Downtown YMCA. He discussed the extensive renovations  ($5 million) to the facilities and how the new facilities will help accomplish the overall mission for the local YMCA.

The grand opening ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 7.

There are 7 local area YMCA's: Downtown, North River (Hixson), Hamilton Family (Shallowford Rd), North Georgia, JA Henry (Brainerd), North Georgia, Cleveland, and Rhea County. Address and contact information is available on the above link.

He said the number 1 concern for the YMCA is addressing social concerns. The  Y started in 1844 in England to help address crime and homeless men. It came over to the US in Boston. There are over 3000 branches and the organization is world wide, in 300 countries.  This is just some of the information about the YMCA organization that he gave out.

The social concerns he is focusing on now are obesity and health. His hope is to use the new facility to break down barriers, whatever is preventing good meals and good exercise habits.  He called for activating lives.  He mentioned several times, there is no reason not to join. Scholarships are available for membership and for child care. Programs exist for adults and for children. He said that the YMCA is the number 1 child care provider in the US.

He specifically mentioned the Strong Kids campaign which is going on now. The goal is to raise $130,000. They are now at $100,000. Here is the link to information about the Strong Kids program.

And lastly, he gave a push for membership. His point is that a Y membership is more than just joining a health club. It is participating in the YMCA goal of bettering the community.

The renovations include a family center and  a fitness center. The link to the renovations descriptions  is here.

Drawing of YMCA renovations taken from www.YMCAChattanooga.org