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Atmore YMCA Set To Close Permanently
September 27, 2018
The Atmore YMCA will permanently cease operations and close on November 30.
“This is a very difficult time for everyone associated with our Y,” said Robert Heard, chairman of the YMCA’s board of directors. “In recent years, we instituted a number of changes that improved our YMCA’s efficiency and effectiveness in meeting community needs. Unfortunately, we have not been able to generate financial resources necessary to sustain operations over the long term.”
The Atmore YMCA has served Atmore and surrounding areas since June 1995, but fundraising and membership efforts have not been enough to keep the facility open.
“Our YMCA has had the privilege of serving the children, families and communities of Atmore for 23 years,” Heard said. “We are grateful for the support we have received from our members, participants, volunteers, and donors. The board also wants to thank Paul Chason and his staff team. They have done everything in their power, against long odds, to keep our YMCA going. We deeply regret that closing down will affect so many wonderful people.”
Two full time and nine part-time employees will lose their jobs.
The Atmore YMCA announced a closure in 2014, but an influx of community funding kept the doors open.
The YMCA currently has over 600 members.
Pictured top: The Atmore Area YMCA building. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Comments
4 Responses to “Atmore YMCA Set To Close Permanently”
I was a member of the Y when i lived in Atmore. I’m a veteran and live in Atmore for a couple years. I moved there from a larger city and I found it to be a city not growing. I am a Christian and I found one of the largest churches not inclusive to African Americans. The city has no vision and it appears many in the city like it that way. I understand small towns wanting to stay small but services to seniors, kids and young people promoting growth is a win for all. I did meet a life long friend of another race and he taught me much about the small town living.
@Justin
I believe those sidewalks were funded by federal ADA grants, so it’s not like the city has spent a lot of money on them.
I do agree that people are moving away though, there are no jobs here, and working at the casino isn’t a career for most young people. Many of the neighborhoods that were middle class when I was a kid, have turned into slums, and that just further accelerates the exodus.
So sad to see the YMCA go, hopefully someone/group will step up to keep the doors open, this building has so much potential. Why not move the senior citizen operations to this bldg., or multi-purpose bldg., and even some type of center for our youth.
First: I hate it for the employees! Second: When the Atmore Y opened in the early 90’s there was a lot of support from the community. That support is not here anymore and neither are the people. Downtown Atmore appears to be declining, people are moving out, businesses are closing. Yet, Atmore added an expense draining splash pad, and has continued an expensive sidewalk development around town for people that aren’t going to live here because they’re moving out! Sounds like they need to get they’re priorities straight and put the investment where the sun does shine!