Lee Erwin reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com

See photos here

Clarksville, Tenn. – With the ribbon cutting Friday, December 20, Clarksville now has two YMCA’s. The new North Clarksville YMCA at 390 Needmore Road opened its doors with a Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting offering tours and signing up new members.

The new 20,000 square foot, $4 million facility joins the Clarksville Area “Y” at 260 Hillcrest Drive. Executive Director, O’Bee O’Bryant said the choice to build the “Y” on Needmore Road was influenced by positive market studies done on the location, its large population and the potential to have a greater impact on the surrounding area.

O’Bryant said the facility will be used for various programs, services and classes. The new “Y” also features a state-of-the-art wellness center with cardio and free weights, group exercise space for martial arts and self-defense classes, Zumba, yoga, Les Mills’Body Pump, indoor cycling and more.

The “Y” will also house the counseling provided by its non-profit organization, Restore Ministries, as well as the After Breast Cancer program which offers free wellness services for survivors of cancer. There’s also Parents Night Out, CPR/First Aid Certification and art classes.

Clarksville residents who belong to the “Y” will also be able to use both facilities, so new members of the North Clarksville location will be able to access the aquatics facility and the gymnasium at the Hillcrest Drive location.

YMCA Board Chairman, Katie Gambill, talked about the new “Y” during the ribbon cutting and dedication. “It’s my privilege to serve as your board chair this year and to be part of providing hope for the community in helping people of all ages to become healthier in spirit, mind and body,” said Gambill.

A partnership with local developer Jeff Burkhart was instrumental in helping to get the second “Y” up and running and he praised the work of the organization. “The “Y” is so much more than this building and the “Y” is so much more than goes inside these four walls. If you’re not involved in the “Y” I would encourage you to be involved in the “Y”,” Burkhart said.

To learn more about either of the YMCA locations in Clarksville go to www.ymcamidtn.org. You cal also call the North Clarksville YMCA on Needmore Road at 931-647-3861 or the Clarksville Area YMCA on Hillcrest Drive at 931-647-2376.