A new day for the Northwest Gibson Co YMCA

TRENTON, Tenn. — A new day for a West Tennessee organization after a community proves working together can accomplish anything.

It has been more than 7 months since the Northwest Gibson County YMCA closed its doors, some thought for good. But after months of fundraising and community support, Monday, Trenton has its “Y” back.

“Everything is new and refurbished,” YMCA member Vickie Sorrells said. “All new equipment, everything has been repainted and it just has a new look.”

But things have not always looked so good for this “Y.” Last October, the facility suddenly closed after filing for bankruptcy.

“It was a like a hole in the community,” Sorrells said. “People were like when’s the “Y” going to re-open? and for a while there we were in limbo and weren’t sure.”

A few months later volunteers came together hoping to re-open the shuttered building. This time they partnered with the Memphis YMCA.

“Over that time that we were closed down people came to realize just how important the “Y” is to their community,” Director Melissa White said.

Supporters raised more than $50,000 and gained back hundreds of members in less than a month.

“People were like, did you join the “Y”? You better hurry up and join!,” Sorrells said. “But now they’re coming in very steadily.”

With Monday’s re-opening it shows how a community can really pull together.

“They have just really stepped up and they’ve worked hard,” White said. “They wanted it and they worked hard for it and the entire community has pulled their weight.”

With this re-opening comes some new programs for members including spinning, children’s summer camps, and swim lessons.

The workers at the new and improved “Y” come from all over, including some from the closed Jackson facility.

The “Y” will hold its grand opening ceremony May 9. If you’d like to join the Northwest Gibson County YMCA visit the “Seen on 7” section.