It’s official – Greater Walton YMCA headed for Monroe

For several years a sign has been posted on property located just off Charlotte Rowell Blvd, across from Monroe Area High School, noting that it is the future home of a YMCA. The recession, however, put the plans on hold for almost a decade. Then two years ago, the community was asked to complete a survey, the first phase needed to implement a YMCA in a community. Andrea Hill, who headed up the steering committee working to bring the YMCA, said she believed it was time to revive the project.

“Several years ago (at the beginning of the recession) 35 acres of property in Monroe was donated to the YMCA. The intention was to start our own local Y,” Hill said at the time. “Unfortunately, the first phase in implementing a Y is a needs survey and at the time of the recession, our community didn’t demonstrate sufficient interest in a YMCA. I, and many other local leaders, believe that the situation in our county has changed and that it is again time to pursue the establishment of our own YMCA. We still have the property, but the YMCA requires another needs assessment before giving their go ahead.”

Well that needs assessment is in and, based on this week’s announcement, it looks like the YMCA is a go at the original location planned on property that was donated by the Rowell family on the connector between Charlotte Rowell Blvd and Double Springs Church Road.

Although no timeline has yet been given, a press release this week containing a map confirms the location and announces that Georgia’s Piedmont YMCA will be bringing a Greater Walton YMCA to Monroe.

In advance of construction of the YMCA, however, it will be offering swim lessons in Monroe this summer. Meredith Carroll, senior programs director of aquatics at the Brad Akins Branch of YMCA, confirmed the schedule and said the swim lessons will take place in the Highland Creek neighborhood, located off Double Springs Church Road next to Monroe Area High School.

The cost is $55 a session and will be held in four sessions between May 30 and July 20 for ages 4 – 6 and 7 to 10. For information on the sessions and to enquire about private lessons, you can email Meredith@gapiedmontymca.org.