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Wallace: YMCA on track

• The Albany YMCA's new executive director gives a progress report on the organization's Lee County branch construction at a civic club.

Joshua Brown

ALBANY — The first phase of the Lee County branch of the YMCA is on track for an Aug. 1 completion date, though that date is admittedly “fluid,” YMCA Executive Director Dave Wallace told Albany Rotarians Tuesday.

“We’re moving along quite well,” he said after the meeting about the Robert B. Lee Road project. “We have had great weather, (and) we’re on schedule.

“The land had been cleared for so long, it’s exciting to finally see something coming up out of the ground.”

Phase 1, a 7,116-square-foot plan that will include a health and fitness center, a child- watch area, guest services area and an outdoor program education area, is estimated to cost about $2 million.

The total cost for the eventual 35,000-square-foot Lee County facility is estimated to be about $5 million. Wallace said he hopes the entire construction project will be completed within three-five years.

Future plans for the site include an indoor swimming pool, program rooms and a fully-developed 20-acre site.

A study eight years ago showed there was a need in the county for a YMCA branch there, Wallace said.

While the organization is not for profit, it operates on a strict budget. Its primary funding comes from program fees, membership dues and contributions, he said.

“You can rest assured that our efforts are sincere in making sure that any resources donated to us are used (responsibly),” he told the group.

Despite its classification as a nonprofit organization, the YMCA has to look at expansion projects just like any for- profit group, Wallace said.

“There is not much difference from any other entity that wants to expand or grow,” he said.

After looking out over the group and noting that he recognized several faces from volunteer work at the YMCA, Wallace told the audience, “We couldn’t do what we do without volunteers.”

The mission of the organization is bringing people together, Wallace said, quoting a Bible verse.

“One of the things we do is bring people together from all walks of life,” he said.

There are still spots open for Dougherty or Lee County residents to become charter members of the Lee County branch, Wallace said. A $1,000 donation will get the donor a year membership at the Y. Half of the donation will go toward the membership and the other $500 will go toward funding the construction project, he said.

Wallace took over the executive director’s position earlier this year after serving as the associate executive director for five years.

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