Construction Marks Expansion of Y Service in the Community

Pittsboro, NC – Thursday, October 12, YMCA staff volunteers, Preston Development Company and community leaders gathered to break ground on the new state-of-the-art Chatham Park YMCA.
The new, full-service Chatham Park YMCA will allow the Y to partner with even more families, children, teens, adults and seniors throughout Chatham County with updated health and wellness, educational, youth and teen programs. Construction of the 34,000-square-foot facility is expected to be complete in late 2024.

“For 18 years, the Y has had a presence in Chatham County delivering youth, adult and family programs. Chatham County is one of the fastest growing communities in the state, and we want the Y to grow to meet the needs of our new neighbors and the broader community,” said Bruce Ham, YMCA of the Triangle CEO. “We’re excited to make this first official step toward a permanent YMCA home in Chatham County. We are grateful to be part of this community and thankful for the support and vision of Preston Development Company. They share our belief that communities are more connected, stronger and made better with full-service YMCAs.”

“We are excited to see this project begin after a three-year planning process,” said Tim Smith and Bubba Rawl, founders of Preston Development Company and developers of Chatham Park. “This is our fourth partnership with the Y and each time the community benefits even more than we imagine. The Y will be focal point within Chatham Park and a valued amenity for everyone to enjoy.”

The new Chatham Park YMCA features modern-day design elements that include:

• A state-of the-art wellness center and group exercise studios where individuals can increase their physical activity and access healthy lifestyle resources.
• Indoor and open-air gymnasiums.
• Two outdoor pools where children and adults can participate in life-saving swim lessons and enjoy aquatic fitness classes and recreational swimming. One pool includes a water slide.
• Land for outdoor sports, youth and family programming.
• Multi-purpose space for community collaborations and evidence-based wellness programs such as YMCA Weight Loss, the Diabetes Prevention Program and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA for cancer survivors.

In addition, the Chatham Park YMCA will meet critical community needs.

• Under the guidance of positive role models, children build confidence and skills through Academic Support, After School, Sports & Day Camps
• Teens stay active, connect with friends and practice leadership skills in realworld, inclusive spaces.
• Busy families spend time together as they work and play their way toward a healthier tomorrow.

Architectural services are a collaboration of LS3P and Andre Johnson Architect with design team led by Dean Rains and Andre Johnson. The construction manager is the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company – led by Greg Tadd, Sean Mason, Connor King, and Scott Denton.

During construction, the current Chatham Y will continue to offer youth and adult programs throughout the community and in our wellness space at Mainstreet Station. In addition, all current YMCA members have access to all YMCA of the Triangle facilities located throughout the region.

For updates and more information, visit YMCATriangle.org

About Chatham Park
Chatham Park is an 8,500-acre technological community located in Pittsboro where you can live, work, play and learn. In close proximity to Research Triangle Park, Raleigh-Durham International Airport and world-class universities, its location is a prime spot for the growth of your family and your career. Learn more at ChathamPark.com

About the Chatham YMCA
The Chatham YMCA is a branch of the YMCA of the Triangle and operates a wellness center at Mainstreet Station in Pittsboro. Today, the Chatham YMCA serves nearly 1,000 members, operates after school programs at seven sites and serves more than 300 children at two summer day camp locations.

About the YMCA of the Triangle
The YMCA of the Triangle is a 501(c)3 charity that has served Raleigh, Durham, Cary and the broader Triangle region since 1857. Today, the YMCA of the Triangle operates 15 facility branches and two program centers in Wake, Chatham, Durham, Orange, Johnston and Lee Counties. The YMCA operates three overnight camps: Camp Kanata in Wake Forest, Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer in Pamlico County. Across the region, our Y engages more than 200,000 children, families and adults through membership and programs. In 2022, the YMCA invested more than $11M into the community through YMCA of the Triangle Annual Campaign donations, federal grants and earnings from the YMCA’s endowments. Funds support access and opportunities for all. Learn more at YMCATriangle.org.