The Wilmington Family YMCA is weeks away from reopening its pool and gymnasium since a February fire forced officials to close the facility on Market Street.
The YMCA partnered with a modular building company and used modular construction to manufacture two locker rooms with lockers, sinks, toilets, changing areas and six showers each, Jones said. The modular buildings built with modular construction were assembled and placed on site. Now, the Y is going through the process of connecting electric, water and sewer. The Y is also constructing a deck and a ramp for the raised building for easy access, as well as covered walkways from the locker rooms to the pool and gym.
The locker rooms will give the YMCA the infrastructure needed to reopen the pool and the gymnasium, Jones said.
“All of those things are happening over the next couple of weeks. All of the contractors that we’re working with–including the county and the city–everyone is working really hard to be supportive of that rapid time frame to get operational as quickly as possible,” Jones said.
Along with the modular locker rooms, the Y has also installed a second modular classroom for children’s programming, Jones said. The summer camps—which are at near-capacity this year at Forest Hills Elementary School—will be able to move back to the main facility, Jones said.
Express Y
In addition to the pool and gymnasium, the YMCA is in the process of constructing the new Express Y in the Market Street Plaza Shopping Center at the corner of Kerr Avenue and Market Street.
“The YMCA operates memberships and programs 365 days a year,” Jones said. “Since the fire we have been the beneficiary of some wonderful partners within the community…to help support our health and wellness activities, which is the key membership piece of any YMCA.”
