A $6 million campaign to expand the Niles-Buchanan YMCA is well underway, with $1.4 million pledged from local donors and businesses.

With plans to establish a new gym, fitness studios and host of youth targeted additions, the more than 8,000 members that use the nonprofit will have a lot more features to look forward to in the years to come.

Jill Haboush, the director of fund development and marketing, said the YMCA conducted a market study, where the need for more youth programming was brought to light.

“The true drive for this expansion is the need for teen and youth programming,” Haboush said.

Among several expansion features, some of the projects targeted toward children will include a youth center for 6-to 12 year-olds and teen center for 13-to 18 year-olds.

With the facility’s programs at capacity, youth programs often feel the strain during peak hours of service, sometimes resulting in them getting shuffled from room to room in search of space.

The problem is further exacerbated during the winter season, when more youth are looking for an indoor place to play sports or hang out.

Haboush said YMCA leaders hope to offer the space for any youth who need a safe and healthy space to spend their time outside of school.

The YMCA currently offers youth opportunities such as the After-School Program, where youth not only get in the habit of healthy exercising, but also gain knowledge on nutritional health and assistance with their homework. Haboush said the YMCA plans to build on this program, offering a safe and healthy space for youth to hang out and exercise, emphasizing the Y’s core values to support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Appropriately titled “Building the Foundation of Community,” the capital campaign is planned to roll out in three of the following phases. Each is expected to cost about $2 million.

• Phase one will include creating a new gymnasium, child watch expansion and sport equipment storage. 

• Phase two will include a two-story expansion, youth center for those ages 6 to 12, teen center for those 13 to 18 and a workout studio.

• Phase three will include the addition of three fitness studios, community room, health and nutrition room, and arts and community room.

While youth are the main focus, with more space available, other members could have more options to take more specialized classes.

“We are hoping we can provide that to them with the addition of these fitness studios,” Haboush said.

The capital campaign was first launched last spring. The YMCA will be meeting with construction planners in December and they are hoping to break ground in the summer of 2018 on phases one and two of the project.

Once completed, more than 32,000 square feet will have been added to the east side of the existing facility, which measures 55,000 square feet. Phase three completion will depend on the progress of the fundraising.

Whether donors are looking to contribute $5 or a couple thousand dollars, Haboush encouraged them to support the campaign anyway that they can.

“Every dollar counts,” Haboush said.

Those wishing to contribute can donate online at nb-ymca.org/home. Those who wish to contribute more than $500 are asked to contact the YMCA directly to contribute. Options to donate over time are available. Those that contribute at least $500 will have the opportunity to be recognized on a naming wall.