A plan to bring a YMCA to Citrus County has been in the works for years, and it is finally starting to take shape.

The Citrus Memorial Health Foundation just handed over a check to the YMCA for $2.8 million, which has given the project a big push.

The new YMCA will be built on donated land near the intersection of County Road 486 and 491 in Lecanto.

Right now there isn't much to see except for a sign, some trees and markers, but for the people who gathered at the site for a small celebration, there's plenty to be excited about.

For YMCA executive director Joanna Castle, the effort is personal.

"It's wonderful because my children are going to get the opportunity to grow up with the advantages that a YMCA brings," she said.

Those advantages include ones that focus on health and wellness through countless programs for everything from sports to cancer rehabilitation.

"Our YMCA will impact thousands of people every year and it will help improve their quality of life," Castle said.

Officials hope to start construction next spring. The plan is to have the project done in about a year but donations are still being accepted.