Norfolk, Va. - A new YMCA in the Park Place neighborhood of Norfolk opens on Friday.
The Y on Granby is just a few blocks away from the Norfolk Zoo and is scheduled to open at 5:30 Friday morning.
On Wednesday, NewsChannel 3 got a behind-the-scenes tour of the new 32,000 square foot facility that includes workout spaces, an outdoor clover pool with water slides as well as teen recreation areas.
Crews were busy Wednesday putting the finishing touches on the facility, including painting and installing equipment.
Executive Director Anthony Walters says the new YMCA can be a community gathering place, especially during the summer months for youths.
"Anytime you can put a structure together and take away the “I don’t have anything to do” mindset, I think that helps," Walters explained.
The new Y was built with support from both the City of Norfolk and private philanthropy.
Memberships at the Y will be based on a sliding scale, with Walters explaining private fundraising helps bring down the costs for families that can't afford memberships.
"Our mission is for all. So we have opportunities to raise dollars to supplement what others may not be able to pay," Walters explained. "Typically it’s going to be around $88 for a family membership. But we have families that pay as little as $20 a month and even for those families that might be difficult, so we don’t take that for granted."
Walters also points out that of the 50 employees hired so far to work at the Y on Granby, half live in the Park Place community.
Click here to look at a gallery featuring a sneak peek inside the new Y.
