YMCA coming soon to Burke County

After years of planning, commissioners finally approved the funds to build a YMCA in the Burke County area. The facility will be located next to the Rec department between Highway 25 and Johnathon Broadston Park. The facility will include a fitness center, class rooms, child care rooms, swimming pools, lazy river, and more.

The budget for the YMCA was set last week for around six million dollars. City Administrator Merv Waldrop says Georgia Power has given money. Commissioners are using some of their special purpose local option sales tax money and general fund to pay for the project as well. Leaders say the YMCA will be great for the youth in the area and are hoping it will decrease drug activity because young people will be given another avenue that has adult supervision.

"I think it is going to be important not just an outlet to burn off some energy but the structure the supervision, the mentoring by getting kids to interact with adults they can respect and that are role models in the community, that is going to make a big difference in our community.", says Waldrop.

Leaders say the YMCA is expected to open next year around Memorial Day.

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