By Staff
NILES - After more than three years of planning and fundraising, the new facility for the Niles-Buchanan YMCA is about to become a reality.
Goundbreaking is set for Friday, Sept. 2, at 3 p.m. at the corner of Front and Pokagon streets in Niles
The new building is expected to take 12-14 months to complete and has been designed to fit in perfectly on the site on the St. Joseph River and with the architecture and style of Niles.
Adding even more cache to this facility is the Partnership with Lakeland Hospital and their Physical Therapy Department which will have a state-of-the-art space on the first floor of the Y, right inside the front entrance. There will be a warm water therapy pool and private therapy rooms.
The general public is encouraged to attend the groundbreaking and to experience the site and see the renderings of the new facility and to meet the Board of Directors and staff of the YMCA.
The Niles-Buchanan YMCA has been serving Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana communities since it was incorporated in 1944. The current facility was opened in 1961, and will be put up for sale in 2006.
The YMCA has provided services to all ages, races and creeds, and financial aid to those who cannot provide it for themselves. The new facility will make it possible to increase the services available and to continue the work of the YMCA to "Build strong bodies, strong minds, strong spirit."