“Today has been a milestone day,” Stanly County Family YMCA Executive Director George Crooker said in addressing Locust City Council at its Aug. 8 meeting. “It’s been rainy, but we’ve found some sunshine.”
Crooker’s optimism on a day of gray skies and flood warnings stemmed from his formal announcement of the YMCA’s plans to construct a new facility in Locust which will serve the western areas of Stanly County in addition to citizens in neighboring areas of Cabarrus and Union.
“We have operated programs in the area for quite some time,” added Crooker. “This will solidify the footprint of the Stanly Family YMCA in and around Locust.”
The project will be spread over two phases with a total cost of $22 million, according to Crooker and Senior Director of Mission Kelley Bigger, and in addition to the new facility in Locust, will include renovations to the YMCA facility in Albemarle as well.
“The current YMCA facility in Albemarle was built in 1950, and needs renovations in order to stay relevant for the next generation,” said Bigger in summarizing the proposed updates, which will include a redesigned lobby which will provide better sight lines and a more open layout, as well as relocation of the fitness areas.
“The cost of these renovations will be no more than $5 million, and should take 12 to 15 months to complete, start to finish,” she said.
Crooker summarized the plans for the new Locust facility.
“We are so excited to announce this,” he said, and credited Locust City Manager Cesar Correa and Planning and Zoning Director Scott Efird for their roles in bringing the project about.
The 30,000-square-foot facility will be on Art Lane, behind the existing Wendy’s and adjacent to Jeff Shelton Park, and will include a natatorium, a fitness area, a youth area, a full gymnasium, locker rooms and a child watch area.
“The cost of this facility will be around $17 million, and it should take 18 months to build once we break ground,” said Crooker.
Funding sources will come primarily from community and corporate support, in addition to grants, as well as donations from businesses, civic groups and individuals.
“Giving opportunities and naming opportunities are available,” Crooker added, “and businesses or individuals who are interested in these can contact us.”
Correa noted that the City of Locust is contributing $2 million toward the project, and Locust Mayor Steve Huber thanked city and YMCA staff for the groundwork laid so far.
“Thank you for all your hard work,” he told Crooker, “and thanks to Cesar and Scott for their unending efforts to bring this about.”
With the project now officially underway, Crooker asked citizens to be patient as the process moves along.
“It’s going to come, it’s going to happen,” he said, “but remember…every good thing takes time.”

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.