A two and a half million dollar project to build a new YMCA complex in Ocala is officially underway.
Board members and staff of the Y broke ground in late January at the site of the future sports complex, which is being referred to as an "airnasium." The outdoor facility will include a new basketball court, a volleyball court and multiple pickle ball courts. At some point in the future, the complex is also expected to add a new youth activity center, more soccer fields, outdoor restrooms and additional parking for guests in a second phase of construction.
Even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the YMCA realizes the need for future growth, and decided to use the pandemic as an opportunity to do so. “We’ve been outgrowing the facilities we currently have," YMCA Sports Supervisor R.J. Bazinet told local ABC affiliate WCJB. "All of the sport programming, the numbers are just exceeding the roof so to speak, so we needed to expand."
With just the first round of construction on the new facility, the YMCA anticipates doubling the amount of people it can serve at once. The YMCA's goal is to have construction on phase one of the new sports complex completed in time for the start of the summer.
