Citrus County residents want Y of their own

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Post a comment | E-mail this story | Print

Citrus County residents want a full service YMCA.

YMCA executives said a Y in Citrus County will cost about $10 million.

CITRUS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Citrus County residents have sent a very clear message; they are ready for a YMCA of their own.

A just completed $25,000 market study showed executives at the YMCA of the Suncoast that county residents will support a Y.

In the survey, county residents said they want a facility much larger than the one in Spring Hill, with a fitness area, babysitting programs and an indoor heated pool.

The project could take years. But Sue Ball, with YMCA of the Suncoast, said the Y is looking for places to move some of its programs into Citrus ASAP.

Survey Says ...

"When a YMCA first comes into a community, we borrow other people's spaces," Ball said. "We use schools, parks, churches and yes, we're beginning that immediately."

The Y brought a summer camp to the county for the first time this year and it was a huge success, filled with kids throughout the summer.

The next step is for volunteers to raise money in a capitol campaign. YMCA executives said a Y in Citrus County will cost about $10 million.

A Citrus Y would be the 10th Y to be a part of the YMCA of the Suncoast. Executives want the new Y to be built in the central part of the county.