News Staff Report
Atmore Area YMCA, which has been a part of the community for the past 23 years, will cease operations at 5 p.m. this Friday, November 30.
The local nonprofit, which was established in June 1995, was once the hub for many community activities and provided numerous activities for young and old during the two-plus decades it was open.
A downward revenue spiral and mounting expenses, especially maintenance and repairs on the aging Pensacola Avenue building that served as Y headquarters and once served as the county high school, led to the closure. According to the property’s warranty deed, the building’s ownership will revert to the city of Atmore once the Y is formally closed.
The local nonprofit almost closed in 2014, but an outpouring of financial support from across the community allowed the Y to avoid the inevitable for another four years. The same almost happened again in May 2018, but a last-minute donation from Poarch Band of Creek Indians allowed for extension of the YMCA’s programs and activities for another six months.
The Y’s Chief Volunteer Officer the Rev. Robert Heard, and CEO Paul Chason thanked the community for its support and offered appreciation for allowing the organization to continue its mission as long as it did.
The Y’s board is in the process of donating or selling all the nonprofit’s various assets, a process that must be completed before the corporation can be dissolved.