YMCA to Hold Grand Opening on Saturday

By Ron Caldwell
– The Collierville Herald –

The grand opening of the new Schilling Farms YMCA in Collierville will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1185 Schilling Farms Blvd. with a ribbon-cutting followed by a day-long series of activities for the entire family.

The YMCA’s outdoor water park, which features a water slide delivered and installed this week, will be open to the public for free swimming from 3-8 p.m. The Doll-fins synchronized swimming team will perform in the outdoor pool and H20 Scuba will provide free scuba lessons.

Other entertainment and activities planned for Saturday’s opening will feature aerobic and martial arts demonstrations, heritage folk dancing, live music, hourly door prizes, a space walk, a dunk tank, carnival games and prizes, face-painting and balloon artists.

The 28,000-square-foot facility at the 448-acre Schilling Farms development will offer both an indoor and outdoor pool, a running track, a nursery, fitness equipment, aerobics, racquetball and handball, youth summer camps, saunas, hot tubs, locker rooms, and before and after school child care.

In addition, the Schilling Farms YMCA has partnered with St. Francis Hospital to create an on-site, outpatient facility with the St. Francis staff including a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and a speech pathologist.

The project was truly a community-wide effort, according to YMCA officials.

"The community of Collierville has shown a tremendous amount of support for the Schilling Farms YMCA," said Melanie Bray of the YMCA. "These contributions have made it possible for the YMCA to come to this community and surrounding areas to provide programs which will help build strong young people, strong families, and strong communities."

She said that the donations include the property for the YMCA, which was donated by Harry Smith of Schilling Farms as well as a $75,000 founding membership by Smith.

Founding members who have given an additional total of $120,000 are Smith, Billy Jack Fraser, Tommy Hart, Tom Webb, Ric Nuber, T.B. Hall, Tom Allen, Joe Clayton, Mark and Alisa Free, John and Marilyn Green, Barbara Leone, Dwight and Brenda Hood, Jo McGaughy, Christine Smith, Kay Stamps, Ty Stamps, Alice Whittington, Keith Johnson, Carolyn Regatz, Ed Bailey, Christy Barton, Jeanne Newton, and Mrs. Schadt.

The project was built by Linkous Construction.

Ms. Bray added that there were also more than 500 charter memberships, which sell for $100 already established.

"The staff and I greatly appreciate the support of the founder, charter, and especially the Alpha Center members who have supported our efforts for the membership drive during the past year," said Kim Ballard, executive director of the Schilling Farms YMCA.