The YMCA of the Triangle is bolstering its commitment to kids and teens with the planned building of the Alexander Jones Wright Youth Center at the Alexander Family YMCA on Hillsborough Street. The 10,000-square foot center will allow the Y to directly impact more children, teens, families and individuals in the community with quality programming for youth outside school hours.
The YMCA Youth Center’s indoor and outdoor spaces will provide areas for group and individual recreation, wellness and education activities, including:
- Multi-purpose gym for youth and teen sports
- Flex space for academic assistance, after school, day camp and teen leadership programs
- Fresh air space for outdoor play
- Expanded group fitness space in the current Alexander Family YMCA facility
“Providing kids and teens with a safe and fun space outside of home and school is a driving principle of the YMCA mission,” Bruce Ham, YMCA CEO, said. “We know it is critical to their physical, mental and social emotional health to have somewhere they can know and grow their self-worth, where they can unplug and be themselves and where they can be active, creative and studious.”
The project comes with an estimated cost of $8 million, $5 million of which has been raised to date through private gifts and government funding. The most recent grant, a $1.5 million contribution from the State of North Carolina’s Fiscal Recovery Reserve, was presented earlier this month by Representative Erin Paré from the state’s 37th House district.
The estimated groundbreaking date will be in early 2025, pending the successful completion of a capital campaign.
The new facility will be named for Pearl Alexander, Earl Jones and Willie Wright, who worked at the YMCA on Hillsborough Street for more than 130 combined years. Their remarkable commitment to creating community within the walls of the Y made the individuals who entered the doors feel welcomed, loved and included each and every day.
