The Downtown Raleigh YMCA, set to open in 2018 at 227 Fayetteville Street, was named the Poyner YMCA at a celebration at the Stockroom in Raleigh. The naming honors James M. Poyner’s service to the YMCA and commitment to the community.
Poyner, a prominent attorney, business leader and civic servant, served as President of the Raleigh YMCA from 1957 -1961. Under his visionary leadership, the YMCA moved from Edenton Street to Hillsborough Street in 1960 and Camp Seafarer for Girls opened in Arapahoe, N.C. in 1961.
OPENING OUR DOORS WIDER
“Volunteers like James Poyner urged us to open our doors to new communities,” said YMCA of the Triangle CEO Doug McMillan. “Poyner's commitment to the Y is still evident in our YMCA and in our broader community today.”
As they did 60 years ago, the Poyner Family leads in community development, and today Downtown Raleigh is home to innovative businesses, commercial spaces and a variety of cultural experiences.
A WELLNESS CENTER IN THE HEART OF RALEIGH
The Poyner YMCA will occupy more than 26,000 square feet in a newly renovated, mixed-use office building owned by LRC Properties and leased by the YMCA of the Triangle. A team of YMCA staff and volunteers has been developing plans for the Wellness Center and the amenities and programs to be offered to the downtown community.
“We are excited about the opportunity to expand YMCA wellness programs in Raleigh’s Central Business District,” Doug said. “A YMCA at 227 Fayetteville Street puts the YMCA in the heart of one of the most dynamic areas of our city. Raleigh has a lot of energy right now, and we’re thrilled to be part of this growth.”
