Greater Naples YMCA opens doors for the first time

Author: Andrew Scheinthal
Published: Updated:

NAPLES, Fla.- A local community center is opening its doors for the first time, after a fire destroyed the facility over a year ago.

The Greater Naples YMCA was struck by lightning on Labor Day in 2013.

Wednesday, the Southwest Florida community got a look inside the brand new facility worth $10.2 million.

There are five fitness facilities, new meeting spaces, a basketball court and a roof deck.

From start to finish, the facility took 180 days to open.

The YMCA is still $600,000 short of their fundraising goal, but so far the community has pitched in just over $5 million.

“This is a wonderful community, a giving community, and I guess people recognize the value of a “Y.” It’s kind of a feather in the cap for the community. A feather of excellence saying we’re special, and they came forward,” said Paul Thein, President of the Greater Naples YMCA.

Even with the new building, prices will not be going up. Individual memberships are still $50 dollars, families are $75.

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