Second New YMCA Opens

Tuesday’s editorial remarks on the donations, despite the recession, that allowed the construction of the new YMCA.

Opening two new YMCA buildings in a few weeks is a notable accomplishment for the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. Constructing the two new community buildings in Myrtle Beach and Georgetown in an economic recession makes this all the more remarkable, and it is to the credit of hundreds of people.

The new facility in Myrtle Beach, on 62nd Avenue North extension between the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and U.S. 17 Bypass, officially opening at noon today to members following a soft opening for charter members, also has a new name: the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA. The late Mrs. Epps was a long-time supporter of the YMCA.

In fact, it was the Chapin Foundation that approached the YMCA a few years ago about building a new YMCA in Myrtle Beach, John Rhoden Jr. recalls. He is the chief executive officer of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, formed in 2006, and parent of the two branches in Myrtle Beach and Georgetown.

Myrtle Beach has had a YMCA for a generation, but its leased building was growing old, and it's difficult to make improvements to property an entity does not own. About the same time as the drive for a new building in Myrtle Beach was taking shape, folks in Georgetown County were seeking an indoor swimming pool and inquired about forming a YM. The national organization, Y-USA in Chicago, advised that joining an existing Y organization was more efficient and practical than creating a new organization.

Under the leadership of Brian Cormier, a veteran YMCA executive, $13 million was pledged for the new buildings. Fundraising leaders were John Trotter in Georgetown and Randy Wallace and Penny Boling in Myrtle Beach. The buildings were designed to be constructed with funds raised or pledged, Rhoden says. Only $1.5 million was borrowed, for a gymnasium in the 37,000-square-foot Myrtle Beach building.

So a key to constructing two big projects in a recession is to raise the money in better times. Still, as Rhoden says, raising $13 million is amazing testimony to the community spirit of Grand Strand residents. The fund drive received major contributions from the Chapin Foundation in Myrtle Beach and the hospital organizations serving both communities. There are few large corporations in Horry and Georgetown counties, so the lion's share of contributions/pledges are from small businesses and private individuals and families. Moreover, Rhoden says, “Last year, when the bottom really fell out, we managed to receive 96 percent of the pledges for year three. That's stellar.”

Georgetown County's first YMCA is doing well, with memberships up to 450 units (individuals or families of four). In Myrtle Beach, membership has grown to 610 units with a goal of 900 by Jan. 1, 2010.

Of the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA opening today, executive director Matt Dempski says, “It's a state-of-the-art facility. It's a whole different experience.”

The new facility in Myrtle Beach, on 62nd Avenue North extension between the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and U.S. 17 Bypass, officially opening at noon today to members following a soft opening for charter members, also has a new name: the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA. The late Mrs. Epps was a long-time supporter of the YMCA.

In fact, it was the Chapin Foundation that approached the YMCA a few years ago about building a new YMCA in Myrtle Beach, John Rhoden Jr. recalls. He is the chief executive officer of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, formed in 2006, and parent of the two branches in Myrtle Beach and Georgetown.

Myrtle Beach has had a YMCA for a generation, but its leased building was growing old, and it's difficult to make improvements to property an entity does not own. About the same time as the drive for a new building in Myrtle Beach was taking shape, folks in Georgetown County were seeking an indoor swimming pool and inquired about forming a YM. The national organization, Y-USA in Chicago, advised that joining an existing Y organization was more efficient and practical than creating a new organization.

Under the leadership of Brian Cormier, a veteran YMCA executive, $13 million was pledged for the new buildings. Fundraising leaders were John Trotter in Georgetown and Randy Wallace and Penny Boling in Myrtle Beach. The buildings were designed to be constructed with funds raised or pledged, Rhoden says. Only $1.5 million was borrowed, for a gymnasium in the 37,000-square-foot Myrtle Beach building.

So a key to constructing two big projects in a recession is to raise the money in better times. Still, as Rhoden says, raising $13 million is amazing testimony to the community spirit of Grand Strand residents. The fund drive received major contributions from the Chapin Foundation in Myrtle Beach and the hospital organizations serving both communities. There are few large corporations in Horry and Georgetown counties, so the lion's share of contributions/pledges are from small businesses and private individuals and families. Moreover, Rhoden says, “Last year, when the bottom really fell out, we managed to receive 96 percent of the pledges for year three. That's stellar.”

Georgetown County's first YMCA is doing well, with memberships up to 450 units (individuals or families of four). In Myrtle Beach, membership has grown to 610 units with a goal of 900 by Jan. 1, 2010.

Of the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA opening today, executive director Matt Dempski says, “It's a state-of-the-art facility. It's a whole different experience.”