YWCO buys property in Oconee County
Oconee County residents may have more recreation choices in the near future after YWCO took the tender first steps toward an intended expansion by announcing the purchase of a large tract of property in near Butler's Crossing across from Briarwood Baptist Church on Hog Mountain Road (State Route 53)near Oconee County High School.
The property in questions has been the subject of a rezone application before the Oconee County Planning Department before the recent deadline for the next meeting, but has yet to be accepted. The YWCO would like to build a fitness and aquatic center targeting the needs of families and seniors, according to a recent press release.
"We have discussed this expansion for several years and believe that our mission and abilities will well serve the need(s) of Oconee County," said Dave Hudgins, YWCO Board President. Many Oconee County residents already utilize the YWCO through its fitness center, summer day camp program, daycare and aquatics program.
Just exactly when the YWCO may break ground on a new facility is an open-ended question, but the group plans on soliciting input from the community during the rest of this year.
"We know what our strengths are as an organization, but we also want to hear from the community in what they want from us," said Executive Director Kitty Meyran of the local YWCO. "For example, we know that there is a shortage of recreational afterschool programs, so that is certainly an area we want to pursue."
Meyran indicated the venture will be primarily self financed by sale of property currently owned by the YWCO, but additional funds may be needed to complete the facility in a manner that the community will value.
Oconee County's expanding public recreational facilities recently hit a bump in the road with the unexpected discovery of deeply imbedded bedrock at the yet-to-be-opened Community Center across from the Herman C. Michael Park.
The Oconee County Board of Commissioners may have to earmark more money for removal of the large chunk of rock under the ground of the gently slopping tract they have been working on for the better part of a year. Soccer fields at the new facility appear almost ready, and the Oconee County Recreation Department still maintains "micro-soccer" fields at the middle school facilities off Mars Hill Road near Butler's Crossing.
Often times these middle school fields are choked with competing softball, baseball, football (tackle and flag) interests as well as dozens of Under-6 and Under-8 soccer teams. Saturdays and some weekday nights will see some serious traffic jams at the narrow opening for the former track location of the old high school.
The OCRD soccer leagues, both spring and fall, are often so packed that all the teams do not have the opportunity to play each other in the self-officiated leagues which many have turned to from the Athens United leagues in Clarke County.
Several years back area activists met in planning a possible YMCA expansion in Oconee County but efforts ground to a halt after a change of leadership in Athens area recreational group. Members of that now defunct group had eyed the recently built YMCA building in Winder as a possible template for a possible new structure in Oconee County.
Oconee County has had several massive private expansions of recreational facilities, including the Georgia Aquatics Facility off New High Shoals Road on South Bishop Farms Parkway behind Gainesville State College's campus and the All Sports Training on Julian Drive towards Bogart also in unincorporated Oconee County.
All Sports Training is a popular site for birthday parties and has also ventured off into athletic armour to protect catchers in softball and baseball. Many former UGA athletes such as former Richmond Braves pitcher Will Startup have helped train future athletes from Oconee County at this private facility. Oconee County has two top ranked softball teams in the first rankings of the fast-pitch season, and the high school have won numerous state titles in that sport.
The aquatic center has sold out of bronze level memberships in its first full summer season of operation. They went through a recent change in managers. They also feature a Swim Oconee Aquatic Club for your consideration.
The YWCO began in Athens in 1906 as a YWCA, but broke away from that national organization nearly 30 years ago so it could adapt its programming to cater to local needs. The YWCO is now a local faith based organization that promotes fitness and wellness for all ages and provides youth program such as afterschool programs and day camps, as well as soccer and other recreational needs, such as Tai Chi, Pilates and Yoga.
"We are still very early in our planning, but the prospects of a new facility is exiciting," said Meyran. They hope to maintain a presence in Athens-Clarke County as well.
Any expansion in recreational options is a welcome change and a positive choice for all Oconee County residents as well as those from surrounding areas contemplating what is best for their children. Now if we can just get a real public swimming pool in Oconee County....
The property in questions has been the subject of a rezone application before the Oconee County Planning Department before the recent deadline for the next meeting, but has yet to be accepted. The YWCO would like to build a fitness and aquatic center targeting the needs of families and seniors, according to a recent press release.
"We have discussed this expansion for several years and believe that our mission and abilities will well serve the need(s) of Oconee County," said Dave Hudgins, YWCO Board President. Many Oconee County residents already utilize the YWCO through its fitness center, summer day camp program, daycare and aquatics program.
Just exactly when the YWCO may break ground on a new facility is an open-ended question, but the group plans on soliciting input from the community during the rest of this year.
"We know what our strengths are as an organization, but we also want to hear from the community in what they want from us," said Executive Director Kitty Meyran of the local YWCO. "For example, we know that there is a shortage of recreational afterschool programs, so that is certainly an area we want to pursue."
Meyran indicated the venture will be primarily self financed by sale of property currently owned by the YWCO, but additional funds may be needed to complete the facility in a manner that the community will value.
Oconee County's expanding public recreational facilities recently hit a bump in the road with the unexpected discovery of deeply imbedded bedrock at the yet-to-be-opened Community Center across from the Herman C. Michael Park.
The Oconee County Board of Commissioners may have to earmark more money for removal of the large chunk of rock under the ground of the gently slopping tract they have been working on for the better part of a year. Soccer fields at the new facility appear almost ready, and the Oconee County Recreation Department still maintains "micro-soccer" fields at the middle school facilities off Mars Hill Road near Butler's Crossing.
Often times these middle school fields are choked with competing softball, baseball, football (tackle and flag) interests as well as dozens of Under-6 and Under-8 soccer teams. Saturdays and some weekday nights will see some serious traffic jams at the narrow opening for the former track location of the old high school.
The OCRD soccer leagues, both spring and fall, are often so packed that all the teams do not have the opportunity to play each other in the self-officiated leagues which many have turned to from the Athens United leagues in Clarke County.
Several years back area activists met in planning a possible YMCA expansion in Oconee County but efforts ground to a halt after a change of leadership in Athens area recreational group. Members of that now defunct group had eyed the recently built YMCA building in Winder as a possible template for a possible new structure in Oconee County.
Oconee County has had several massive private expansions of recreational facilities, including the Georgia Aquatics Facility off New High Shoals Road on South Bishop Farms Parkway behind Gainesville State College's campus and the All Sports Training on Julian Drive towards Bogart also in unincorporated Oconee County.
All Sports Training is a popular site for birthday parties and has also ventured off into athletic armour to protect catchers in softball and baseball. Many former UGA athletes such as former Richmond Braves pitcher Will Startup have helped train future athletes from Oconee County at this private facility. Oconee County has two top ranked softball teams in the first rankings of the fast-pitch season, and the high school have won numerous state titles in that sport.
The aquatic center has sold out of bronze level memberships in its first full summer season of operation. They went through a recent change in managers. They also feature a Swim Oconee Aquatic Club for your consideration.
The YWCO began in Athens in 1906 as a YWCA, but broke away from that national organization nearly 30 years ago so it could adapt its programming to cater to local needs. The YWCO is now a local faith based organization that promotes fitness and wellness for all ages and provides youth program such as afterschool programs and day camps, as well as soccer and other recreational needs, such as Tai Chi, Pilates and Yoga.
"We are still very early in our planning, but the prospects of a new facility is exiciting," said Meyran. They hope to maintain a presence in Athens-Clarke County as well.
Any expansion in recreational options is a welcome change and a positive choice for all Oconee County residents as well as those from surrounding areas contemplating what is best for their children. Now if we can just get a real public swimming pool in Oconee County....
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