Wilmington YMCA gets $2M donation for renovations after 2015 fire

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington YMCA just received a $2 million donation to help with renovations after a fire at the facility in February 2015.

The Wilmington Family YMCA’s Capital Campaign chairman Cecil Worsley and YMCA CEO Dick Jones announced that Dr. Oaz Nir, son of long time YMCA Healthy Living Director Dalia Nir, pledged a gift of $2 million to the Y’s Capital Campaign in a news release.

Jones said it brings the vision of a renovated Y much closer to reality, as the effort continues to raise funds to rebuild the Market Street facility that was damaged in a fire in February, 2015.

The YMCA is working with Bowman Murray Hemingway Architects and Thomas Construction Group to finalize plans for a $9 million renovation to the facility at 2710 Market Street. Jones said once it is complete, the new facility will feature state of the art spaces with program areas to support the Y’s work.

“I am happy to help a cause which will have a great impact on such a large group of people- a cause which is so dearly important to my family,” Nir said.

Once the renovation is complete, the facility at 2710 Market Street will be renamed the Nir Family YMCA.

Jones said this recent gift is a further testament to the importance of the Y for the Nir family. Upon entering the Nir Family Y, people will be reminded of and inspired by the positive impact one family can make on a community.

“The ambitious $9 million dollar Y project is being funded with $3 million from insurance proceeds and the Capital Campaign,” Jones said.

“This is a perfect opportunity, for those who can, to be a part of something that will support this community for years to come.” Worsley said. “We want to break ground in early 2017. We intend to get the Nir Family YMCA open as soon as possible and we encourage others to join the campaign now and make their pledge by December 31, 2016.”