O utside construction is complete at the Grubb Family YMCA of Archdale-Trinity. Inside, flooring tiles are going down and ceiling tiles are going up. The good news is this — if progress continues at the current pace, the opening date could be as soon as May 31.

When Grubb Family YMCA Branch Director David Pollock and Fred Meredith, YMCA board chairman, stop by to check on construction progress, they are pleased with what they see.

As Pollock walks through the 32,560-square-foot building, he sees more than brick, glass and drywall. He envisions the multipurpose room with an aerobics class in progress. He sees the huge gymnasium with two simultaneous basketball games going on. He sees people doing cardio workouts in the equipment room while facing a peaceful view of the woods and a creek.

Right now Pollock’s vision is still a dream, but the reality is only weeks away.

“There have been 10 years of planning for this,” Meredith said last Thursday. “It will be the culmination of a lot of hard work. There has been blood and sweat, so I guess maybe it will be time for tears — tears of joy.”

Meredith was at the very first YMCA planning meeting held at Sealy in 2000. He has spearheaded the capital funds campaign, which isn’t over yet. The “Buy a Brick” campaign is one of the final steps to raise the $4.7 million needed to pay for the YMCA building.

Meredith looks forward to using the new amenities this summer, but he won’t be able to jump in the pool just yet. Phase 1 construction, which is now near completion, did not include a pool. The area planned for a future swimming pool will, for now, be a walking track surrounding a grassy area with seating.

“But we don’t have to wait until time for Phase 2,” said Meredith. “We could slide a pool in there at any time, just as soon as funding becomes available.”

The facility will allow the YMCA to consolidate the programs it now offers.

“For several years, the YMCA has been running programs [in the Archdale-Trinity area], but right now we are kind of spread out all over the place,” Pollock said. “When the building opens, the YMCA will have a physical presence and an identity here. I just hope that the YMCA will provide a location where members of the community of all ages can get together and get healthier.”

Pollock and Meredith are excited about the new programs the YMCA will offer.

“When the building is up and running, we will have a full-blown series of exercise programs such as yoga, step aerobics and kettle bell,” Pollock said.

He added that the location would open up possibilities such as youth, adult and church basketball leagues, youth and adult indoor soccer as well as dodgeball and volleyball.

The hours of operation will be from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

Before the doors open, Pollock said that the YMCA must be staffed with six full-time and approximately 40-50 part-time employees.

Jobs that are open include a membership services representative, office manager, program director and property director. Part-time positions include summer day camp staff, after-school counselors, membership service staff, housekeeping, child watch staff, group exercise instructors and fitness staff for the wellness center.

Employment applications are available at 
www.hpymca.org/grubb/index.asp.

To apply for a position, fill out an application and mail along with a resume to YMCA, P.O. Box 170, Trinity NC 27370. For more information, call the YMCA at 861-7797 or 861-7788.