ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg is hoping people in the community can help them cross the fundraising finish line to complete the construction of its newest facility in north St. Pete.

What You Need To Know

  •  YMCA of Greater St. Pete is looking for fundraising help for its newest facility

  •  The Y silently raised $20 million but is hoping to get the remaining $5 million from the community

  • The YMCA plans on opening the building around the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024

Organization leaders are asking people in Pinellas County and the Bay area to contribute to the remaining $5 million they need to finish the project after silently raising the first $20 million.

For years, the construction site that Michelle Curtis is walking through felt more like a distant dream than a reality.

But, over the last year, she’s seen the walls rise and parts of the YMCA’s newest facility come to into view.

“This is going to be so many people that are going to be, you know, that are going to benefit from this project,” said Curtis, chief development officer for the YMCA of Greater St. Pete.

The project is worth about $50 million. With it comes a new school for Pinellas County and wellness facility for the Y.

The cost is split in half, with the YMCA needing about $25 million to fully complete their construction.

“Over the course of a couple of years, and through a pandemic, we've been able to raise about 80% of our goal, which is $20 million, a little over $20 million,” Curtis said.

He added that's nothing to scoff at, but 80 percent isn’t 100.

In the last few months before they hope to open this place, they’re now reaching out to folks in the Bay area to help pitch in the remaining funds.

“This is capital fundraising for us; goes directly to what you see right here, like paying for, you know, construction of the building,” Curtis said.

She says the pandemic created a bit of uncertainty for when this project would ultimately be done but she can now see the finish line — they’re getting so close — which is refreshing when you’re talking about a building that’s over 110,000 square feet.

But, if you ask Curtis, the scope of the project isn’t as important as the impact that it will make to people who use it.

“This is my town and I'm just really proud of what's happening here and I'm just proud of the community,” Curtis said.

It’s pride that grows with each passing day because she knows what the YMCA, and places like it, do for everyone who lives near them.

“There's just so many places where, you know, we can intersect where you wouldn't normally have that, you know, opportunity,” said Curtis. “It's very unique.”

If the remaining money is raised, that unique opportunity will finally come into fruition after years of dreaming.

The YMCA plans on opening the building around the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024.

Along with the wellness facility, the other half of the building will house Mangrove Bay Middle School where both members of the Y and the school will be able to utilize these facilities.