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With the Kirbo Center being used for Election Day, the Bainbridge Rotary Club instead met at the YMCA on Tuesday. Following lunch, Rich Gallagher, president and CEO of the Moultrie YMCA addressed the club about the changes and renovations the local YMCA has undergone in recent years.

Gallagher gave a brief overview of how he reinvigorated the Moultrie Y, even through the COVID pandemic, before it would ultimately merge with the Bainbridge YMCA, creating the Georgia Sunbelt YMCA. They have also recently gained the service area of Tallahassee.

“But before we grow and expand to Tallahassee, we’re gonna get Bainbridge up and going,” he said. According to Gallagher, there is a five-year plan to revitalize the local Y. So far, the first-year renovations on the fitness areas and equipment have already taken place; next on the agenda include the installation of pickle ball courts, as well as the opening of a 24/7 YMCA facility. This facility will be adjacent to the post office and Midtown Drugs.

He then proceeded to take the attendees on a tour of the Y facility, showing off the improvements made. This included the updated fitness area, as well as the re-opened therapy pool. “The therapy pool has been inactive basically for about 20 years. It’s been used as a storage room,” Gallagher explained. He continued, explaining the planned renovations for the facility’s basketball court and main swimming pool.

Following the tour, Gallagher took questions from the attendees, and a drawing for prizes (a cookbook and a year family membership) was held.