Groundbreaking ceremony held for future Nir Family YMCA

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina broke ground Saturday on what will be the Nir Family YMCA on Market Street. This comes more than two years after an accidental fire destroyed part of it.

A majority of the building will remain, but there will be a new front entrance and lobby, large exercise studios, a new youth wing, a wellness center, a large child watch and kids adventure areas, as well as locker rooms for men, women, boys, girls and families.

A ceremony was held Saturday including fellowship and donor recognition.

Cecil Worsley, Wilmington Family YMCA‘s Capital Campaign chairman, says this is a long time coming and is so excited things will be back bigger and better.

“It’s a turning point for Wilmington,” Worsley said. “We have been behind as far the infrastructural of the YMCA. It’s unfortunate about the fire came but maybe it help ignite getting the community involved and getting us to the 21 century to get up a really modern Y and something that can really serve the community.”

The project is expected to take 16 months to complete. The facility will remain partially open during construction.

The Y plans to partner with other community organizations to temporarily host y programs during the renovation period.