Gaston County Family YMCA
Gastonia
615 W. Franklin Blvd
Gastonia, North Carolina 28052
Gastonia
615 W. Franklin Blvd
Gastonia, North Carolina 28052
See all upcoming classes at Gaston County Family YMCA
Description
Originally organized in the late 1880’s, the Gaston County Family YMCA has upheld the remaining constant of the Christian Mission of the YMCA and the outstanding leadership provided by countless volunteers and staff. Together the Gaston County Family YMCA has evolved to ensure area youth and families have the opportunity to experience the YMCA mission which is “to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.”
YMCA History in Gaston County
William P. Fisk first organized meetings of what would become the
Gaston County Family YMCA in the late 1880’s at the corner of Marietta
and Main St. as a place for men to gather to have bible studies, study
sessions and meetings. The location would later serve as the first
library in Gastonia.
The desire for youth and family programs in the community was revived
and the YMCA sprung up again in the mid 1950’s. The city of Gastonia
donated a large piece of land at the corner of Franklin Blvd. and
Trenton St. to the YMCA and after a capital funds drive, enough money
was raised for a full facility YMCA. J.D. Hicks was the first General
Secretary of the Gaston County Y when it was incorporated in 1956, where
he remained until the early 1980’s, before Bob Neely succeeded him
until 1989. Jim Mercer held the position for three years and Phil Morgan
became the fourth Executive Director in the fall of 1992. Tony Sigmon
is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Gaston County Family Y and
has been serving in this role since 2006.
After adding a second gymnasium and racquetball courts to the
original facility in 1975 and a small pool and two additional
racquetball courts in 1985, the Y continued to grow in the area.
The association’s second branch, the East Gaston Family YMCA, was
founded in 1992, followed by the Robert Lee Stowe, Jr. Family YMCA in
2000. The Cherryville branch soon followed in November 2003 and the
South Gaston Family YMCA was opened in the old Gaston Athletic Club in
January 2004, becoming the association’s fourth branch. Our fifth
location, William J. Pharr Family YMCA, was opened in 2008 in
McAdenville, better known as ChristmasTown USA. In 2016 construction
began on a New YMCA on Robinwood Lake. This location will take advantage
of the 34 acre lake and 75 acres of wooden land.
YMCA History in Gaston County
William P. Fisk first organized meetings of what would become the
Gaston County Family YMCA in the late 1880’s at the corner of Marietta
and Main St. as a place for men to gather to have bible studies, study
sessions and meetings. The location would later serve as the first
library in Gastonia.
The desire for youth and family programs in the community was revived
and the YMCA sprung up again in the mid 1950’s. The city of Gastonia
donated a large piece of land at the corner of Franklin Blvd. and
Trenton St. to the YMCA and after a capital funds drive, enough money
was raised for a full facility YMCA. J.D. Hicks was the first General
Secretary of the Gaston County Y when it was incorporated in 1956, where
he remained until the early 1980’s, before Bob Neely succeeded him
until 1989. Jim Mercer held the position for three years and Phil Morgan
became the fourth Executive Director in the fall of 1992. Tony Sigmon
is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Gaston County Family Y and
has been serving in this role since 2006.
After adding a second gymnasium and racquetball courts to the
original facility in 1975 and a small pool and two additional
racquetball courts in 1985, the Y continued to grow in the area.
The association’s second branch, the East Gaston Family YMCA, was
founded in 1992, followed by the Robert Lee Stowe, Jr. Family YMCA in
2000. The Cherryville branch soon followed in November 2003 and the
South Gaston Family YMCA was opened in the old Gaston Athletic Club in
January 2004, becoming the association’s fourth branch. Our fifth
location, William J. Pharr Family YMCA, was opened in 2008 in
McAdenville, better known as ChristmasTown USA. In 2016 construction
began on a New YMCA on Robinwood Lake. This location will take advantage
of the 34 acre lake and 75 acres of wooden land.
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