Capital Campaign Underway For Permanent New Facility
The Rockbridge Area YMCA is relocating later this year from the College Square Shopping Center to the Stonewall Square Shopping Center.
The YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge announced this week that the Rockbridge Y will be moving in December into what will be a newly renovated facility at 78 E. Midland Trail in the Stonewall Square Shopping Center. The Y is going into the space formerly occupied by Label Shopper, a clothing store, on the east side of the shopping center, between Fashion Floors & Cabinets and Orchid Massage.
Plans for the newly renovated facility, according to a press release, are to create “an updated YMCA experience designed to support continued growth and community needs in Rockbridge County.” The YMCA is committed to ensuring “programs and services continue without interruption while development for a future facility moves forward.”
The Rockbridge Y’s current lease with the Stonewall Square Shopping Center expires in December and the organization was unable to reach an agreement to extend the lease until a new future facility is constructed.
The search for a future location for the planned new facility has been narrowed to two sites, said Chad Whitmer, Rockbridge Area YMCA branch executive. He said it’s hoped that the Y will move into a brand new facility in the next two or three years. A silent phase of a capital campaign for this project is underway, and a survey of the Y’s membership is being conducted to better understand what members want.
As for the upcoming relocation, “This is a really exciting step for the Rockbridge Area YMCA,” said Mark Johnson, president and CEO of the YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. “We’re creating a refreshed space that allows us to continue building momentum, continue serving families while growing our impact in the community. This move is about investing in what members need right now while also planning responsibly for the future.”
YMCA leaders, according to the press release, say the updated 8,500-square-foot facility “will allow members to continue enjoying wellness programming, group exercise classes, Stay & Play childcare services and 24-hour access throughout the transition. Members are able to shape amenities provided in the new space through surveys and feedback opportunities.”
Said Whitmer: “We want this space to reflect what our members value most. We’re investing in upgrades and creating a YMCA experience that continues to feel welcoming and community-driven from day one.” He emphasized that the move represents continued growth and investment in the Rockbridge community.
“The YMCA has been part of this community for decades, and that commitment is not changing,” Whitmer said. “This move allows us to keep moving forward while creating new opportunities for the future.”
Rob Hughes, chair of the Rockbridge Area YMCA board of directors, said the board fully supports both the transition to Stonewall Square and the YMCA’s broader long-term vision. “We’re proud of what the YMCA already means to this community, and we believe this next chapter creates real opportunity to build on that foundation,” he said.
As planning efforts continue, the YMCA has been working closely with community leaders and supporters to better understand the needs and opportunities that exist across Rockbridge County. Whitmer said responses have been overwhelmingly positive.
“People have been asking for years when Rockbridge will have a YMCA with the space and amenities you see in other communities,” he commented. “We’re finally in a position to pursue that goal in a serious way. The temporary move is an important step, but what’s really exciting is what it leads to.”
Additional updates, member communications and project information will be shared as planning progresses.
To keep up with the latest, visit https://ymcavbr.org/rockbridge-area-ymca/facility-updates-rockbridge-area-ymca/.
