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North Central Florida YMCA Will Continue Operations

Jean Quillen, a YMCA member for four years, takes a yoga class. She said she never thought she would find such a strong community at a gym. (Monica Humphries/WUFT News)
Jean Quillen, a YMCA member for four years, takes a yoga class. She said she never thought she would find such a strong community at a gym. (Monica Humphries/WUFT News)

Updated, 4:47 p.m. 

The North Central Florida YMCA announced Monday that it will continue operations.

The Board of Directors decided to continue operations after the Y had managed to raise $940,000 toward the $1.2 million necessary to continue operations.

The fundraising progress of the past 5 weeks is substantial justification to continue to provide the much needed programs and services to the community," Robert Walpole, board president, said in a statement.

The YMCA filed for liquidation bankruptcy in December and originally announced it would close Dec. 31. After receiving an extension until Jan. 31, financial pledges from community members and fundraising events brought the YMCA closer to the $1.2 million needed to keep the doors open.

While the board has decided to keep the facility open, located at 5201 NW 34th Blvd., the fate of the YMCA is still dependent upon the US Bankruptcy Court and raising another $250,000 to pay off creditors and have the case dismissed.

“We are hopeful that our continued conversations with many pillars of the community will bear the fruit necessary to overcome the current shortfall and keep us here permanently," CEO John Bonacci said in a statement. “I will continue to fight for the people we serve until they carry me out of here.”

Keeping its doors open will allow approximately 5,000 YMCA members to continue access to its programs and services including childcare, sports, and recreation and fitness facilities. It will also save the jobs of seven full-time staff members and 82 part-time staff members.

A meeting will be held tonight in the Orange Room at the YMCA at 7:00 p.m. to further discuss the future of the organization.

Meagan Meredith is a reporter for WUFT News. You can reach her by email at meagmeredith@ufl.edu or by phone at 469-734-8727.