The Blair Family YMCA has been a part of the community for 18 years and will soon begin a much-needed gym renovation. Memorial Community Hospital and Health System (MCH) has committed to a $25,000 donation for the next four years which will contribute to the updates.

By securing a gymnasium sponsorship from MCH, the Blair Family YMCA will have the ability to resurface the floor, add new and updated scoreboards, a new divider curtain between the two gyms, new paint and new windows along with updated wall padding that will include all sponsor and YMCA logos. This update will allow for hosting of basketball and volleyball tournaments, futsal leagues and overall will improve the community member experience within the Blair Family YMCA.

Brandon Palmer, Executive Director of the Blair Family YMCA, said “Our mission and long-term vision at the Blair Family YMCA is to consistently provide a positive impactful environment that puts our youth, families and guests first. We are excited to begin this project and continue to provide the community with the best facility we can.”

Currently during COVID, there are about 110 youth basketball players participating in the YMCA program. With the gym update, Palmer expects that number to increase by at least 25% in addition to hosting youth basketball tournaments for Washington County and surrounding areas as the gym will be state of the art.

Before the renovation can begin, a second sponsor must be secured. The project will begin with less exciting aspects of the gym such as the paint and windows and replacing the water fountain. The start date on some of the other improvements may not begin until March, after the youth basketball league concludes.

“MCH is happy to partner with the Blair Family YMCA on this renovation,” said Manny Banner, President and CEO of MCH. “It fits into the mission of the hospital nicely and that is to partner with the community to heal, nurture, and promote wellness. We are proud to be a part of this project that will benefit so many families in the community.”