YMCA staff and volunteers, Preston Development Company and community leaders gathered Thursday, Oct. 12 in Pittsboro to break ground on the new state-of-the-art Chatham Park YMCA. With construction scheduled to begin this fall and be completed in late 2024, the 34,000-square-foot facility will be a cornerstone of the up-and-coming Chatham Park neighborhood.
The space will allow the Y to serve even more families, children, teens, adults and seniors throughout Chatham County with updated health and wellness, educational, youth and teen programs. As a community hub, we hope it will be a place for children to build confidence and skills through Academic Support, After School and Sports & Day Camps. For Teens to stay active, connect with friends and practice leadership skills in real-world, inclusive spaces. And for busy families to spend time together as they work and play their way toward a healthier tomorrow.
“For 18 years, the Y has had a presence in Chatham County delivering youth, adult and family programs," Bruce Ham, YMCA of the Triangle CEO, said. "Chatham County is one of the fastest growing communities in the state, and we want the Y to grow to meet the needs of our new neighbors and the broader community.
We’re excited to make this first official step toward a permanent YMCA home in Chatham County and are grateful to be part of this community. Thank you to Preston Development Company for your support, vision and shared belief that communities are more connected, stronger and made better with full-service YMCAs.”
The Chatham Park YMCA will feature modern-day design elements that include:
- A state-of the-art wellness center and group exercise studios where individuals can increase their physical activity and access healthy lifestyle resources.
- Indoor and open-air gymnasiums.
- Two outdoor pools where children and adults can participate in life-saving swim lessons and enjoy aquatic fitness classes and recreational swimming. One pool includes a water slide.
- Land for outdoor sports, youth and family programming.
- Multi-purpose space for community collaborations and evidence-based wellness programs such as YMCA Weight Loss, the Diabetes Prevention Program and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA for cancer survivors.
“We are excited to see this project begin after a three-year planning process,” Tim Smith and Bubba Rawl, founders of Preston Development Company and developers of Chatham Park, said. “This is our fourth partnership with the Y and each time the community benefits even more than we imagine. The Y will be focal point within Chatham Park and a valued amenity for everyone to enjoy.”
Architectural services are a collaboration of LS3P and Andre Johnson Architect with design team led by Dean Rains and Andre Johnson. The construction manager is the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company - led by Greg Tadd, Sean Mason, Connor King and Scott Denton.
During construction, the current Chatham Y will continue to offer youth and adult programs throughout the community and in our wellness space at Mainstreet Station. In addition, all current YMCA members have access to all YMCA of the Triangle facilities located throughout the region.
