On May 1, the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA will mark its 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of serving thousands of local residents with programs for all ages — from swim lessons and youth camps to senior fitness and group exercise.
Denny Vittetoe of Crystal River plays a pickleball game with partner Steffi Jeorge of Pine Ridge.
Matthew Beck/Chronicle photo editor
Now, 10 years later, the YMCA of the Suncoast at 4127 County Road 486 in Lecanto is expanding to keep pace with the area’s continued growth. Membership has risen to about 11,000 people, and the facility now employs roughly 150 staff members.
“The county is growing — the needs are growing,” Executive Director David Reed said.
To meet those needs, the YMCA has launched a $2.5 million donor campaign to fund several additions, including new multi-purpose rooms, shade-covered pickleball courts, a children’s playground, and a functional wellness area for adults.
David Reed, Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA executive director, speaks about a new initiative by the Y to make improvements to the facility.
Matthew Beck/Chronicle photo editor
The state of Florida has already invested $1.5 million in the project through appropriations, supporting key construction costs. That leaves $1 million to raise. Of that, the YMCA has already secured $600,000, leaving $400,000 still needed.
“As we look ahead, we are hopeful that a successful capital campaign will allow us to further enhance the facility through additional interior renovations, ultimately enabling us to better serve our community,” Reed said.
Donors who contribute $2,500 or more will be permanently recognized on the YMCA donor wall.
The Wellness Center at the Citrus Memorial Health Systems in Lecanto is one of the most popular areas at the Y. It will receive a makeover during an upcoming improvement project.
Matthew Beck/Chronicle photo editor
Expansion details
The YMCA’s expansion will include several major projects:
• A 2,500-square-foot multi-purpose room: $150,000.
• A 1,675-square-foot multi-purpose room: $100,000.
• Shade-covered pickleball courts: $100,000.
• A children’s playground: $75,000.
• A functional wellness area for adults: $60,000.
Reed said expanding the facility had always been part of its long-term vision, but those plans were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Construction on the two new multi-purpose rooms, pickleball courts and the children’s playground is expected to begin in mid-May. Once the project is complete, the number of pickleball courts will increase from three to four, and all of them will be covered by a canopy.
Pickleball has become a wildly popular game that mixes physical activity with social interaction that many at the Y take part in.
Matthew Beck/Chronicle photo editor
Growth challenges
Reed recalls that before the YMCA was built, a feasibility study projected about 7,500 to 8,000 members on opening day. Instead, when the facility opened on May 1, 2016, it already had 10,000 members signed up.
He believes the community will once again step up to support the expansion once the donor campaign officially begins.
“It wouldn’t happen without the community,” he said.
In the meantime, the YMCA is moving forward with several other upgrades, including resurfacing the swimming pool and installing new flooring and equipment in the existing wellness center.
Reed noted that the YMCA is located in the heart of rapid commercial and residential growth along County Road 486, near the intersection with County Road 491. He added that few could have predicted the Suncoast Parkway extension would eventually run so close to the facility, making it even more accessible.
One new development that could affect membership, Reed said, is a Planet Fitness currently under construction at Summit View at CORTA Commons next to Target.
The large gym chain will likely attract people mainly interested in using exercise equipment, he said. However, Reed emphasized that the YMCA offers much more — and will offer even more once the expansion is complete.
“We just need to get ahead of all this (growth),” he said.
The Citrus Memorial Health Systems YMCA basketball courts have become pickleball courts. Four new, dedicated pickleball courts are planned.
Matthew Beck/Chronicle photo editor
Exceeding expectations
Gerry Mulligan, former publisher of the Citrus County Chronicle, serves on the board of the YMCA of the Suncoast. He co-led the capital campaign that raised more than $8 million to build the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA.
Mulligan said the success of the Lecanto facility has exceeded expectations since it opened in May 2016 and is one of the most successful in the region.
He said organizers initially underestimated how many people would join and didn’t fully anticipate the importance of the facility’s social atmosphere.
The Lecanto location is part of the YMCA of the Suncoast system, which operates eight YMCA facilities in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Mulligan said Citrus County residents played a key role in bringing the project to life.
With support from the regional organization and strong backing from the local community, the campaign ultimately raised $8.3 million in local contributions.
“We opened with no mortgage,” Mulligan said.
He emphasized that the YMCA’s appeal goes far beyond fitness programs.
“This is more than just a fitness center,” Mulligan said. “This is all about people getting together and getting healthy at the same time.”
Mulligan said organizers didn’t fully realize just how important the social aspect of the YMCA would become for members.
As Citrus County continues to grow, he said, the planned expansion will help meet the rising demand for programs and community gathering spaces.
“It’s trying to meet the expectations of the growing population and at the same time deal with the health care issues,” Mulligan said.
