Thursday, October 24, 2024–8:40 p.m.
-News Release-
The YMCA of Rome and Floyd County’s Grizzard Park was inspired by a visit to another community’s youth sports facility and sparked the question, “Why not in Rome” The Y’s Grizzard Park started with a mission to serve Rome, Floyd County, and the surrounding communities by providing a facility for children and families to come together. Early on, the goal was to learn to play soccer and baseball.
For the last quarter-century, this organization has provided sports instruction and so much more. Thousands of children have played on their fields, learning perseverance and how to compete with grace. It has been a place where families have formed lifelong bonds and created countless memories that will span the lifetimes of generations to come.
While soccer and baseball were the foundation of the facility, it grew to host YMCA Day Camp, Harbin Clinic’s Flag Football games, Unity Christian School’s football and baseball games, BooFest at the Y, Cow Patty Bingo, food markets for those in need, and so many other events that have brought our community together over the last 25 years.
As the team at the Y reflects on the rich legacy of Grizzard Park, they now look ahead to an even brighter future, as the organization now embarks on an impressive expansion plan that will enhance its mission to serve.
“We had our grand opening of Grizzard Park back in 1999, so this place has been bringing families together to learn, grow, and play for 25 years,” says YMCA Executive Director, Scott McCreless. “There are so many people who made this possible, but there are three key families we have to thank for making this place a reality. Those families are the Grizzard, Yancey, and Watters families. They were all instrumental in creating this space for our community.”
That foundation blossomed into so much more than originally intended and now with the support of community partners, families, and individuals, the mission of the Y can extend its reach.
“When we built this place, we had the goal of providing a first-class facility where everyone could come together to play, regardless of their ability to pay,” recalls McCreless. “That was the vision and we have sustained that vision. But the needs of the community have grown and we needed to grow this park to meet them. This expansion gives us air-conditioned spaces for our day camps, a kitchen that allows us to provide greater nutritional support to under-resourced adults and children, a new home for our basketball program, indoor soccer, pickle ball courts and so much more.”
The centerpiece of the expansion is the new Gaynelle P. and Vernon D. Grizzard Sr. YMCA, made possible by a generous donation from the Grizzard Family. This 16,000-square-foot facility will house basketball, pickle ball, a risk level one kitchen, a warming kitchen, meeting rooms, and offices.
Along with the new building, a .75-mile walking trail, shade structures for the soccer fields, a teaching garden for the day camp program, soccer field lighting, updated restrooms, new rooms in the existing field house, and improved and expanded parking are all a part of the improvements to Grizzard Park.
Some of these updates, such as the lighting, have already been completed. The Y expects everything to be finished and accessible by early summer, 2025. Facilites like this require a huge investment from community partners, and the steeped history of the Y’s impact on Rome and Floyd County has fostered trust with such partners as Atrium Health Floyd, Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation, employees of Summit Hill Foods, and State Mutual Insurance Company.
Atrium Health Floyd will be the principal healthcare sponsor and provider at Grizzard Park and has pledged over $2,000,000 to support the new expansion, and health and wellness programs at both Grizzard Park and the Y on Second Avenue.
“We are thrilled to partner with the YMCA in their efforts to support underserved families, along with helping them make needed improvements,” said Mary Helen Heaner, chair of the foundation. “This is an exciting announcement for our Foundation and for Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, through whom these funds are granted, and for the families in our community. The Foundation was established to make a difference in the communities we serve. This partnership will make for a healthier community and improve physical and mental health in our youth.”
The new risk level one kitchen will allow the Y to continue its mission to support under-resourced families in our community, and the employees of Summit Hills Food have backed that mission with a $150,000 pledge.
“Seven thousand children in Rome and Floyd County don’t know where they are getting their next nutritious meal,” said Jason Marion of Summit Hill Foods. “When we were asked to sponsor the kitchen for this new addition, it immediately made sense because of the shared values we have with the YMCA and the investment of the employees of Summit Hill Foods make to this community. We are honored and excited to continue our long-term support and partnership with the YMCA to provide nutritious meals for those in need.”
In addition to these generous donors, State Mutual Insurance, Basic Ready Mix along with individuals like the Grizzard Family, The Anderson Family, The Safigan Family, and other anonymous donors have all made this project possible.
The Grizzard family was represented at Wednesday night’s ground-breaking ceremony by Linda Owens and Bob Grizzard, his wife Joen and their son Jefferson. The new building is named after Bob’s and Linda’s parents, Gaynelle P. and Vernon D. Grizzard, Sr. who played such a large role in the park from its inception to the current day.
“Our family is so excited to continue our aligned vision with the Rome YMCA,” says Bob Grizzard. “Their mission of supporting people providing opportunities for youth development and building stronger communities are the values our parents taught us. Being a part of this project means so much to everyone in the Grizzard family.”
The impact of the Y on Rome and Floyd County makes supporting projects like this an easy decision for partners as the countless number of families served continues to grow. The $4.4-million-dollar project is quickly nearing its goal, as community partners and private donors have already pledged $3,555,000 to the project, leaving $845,000 to raise.
With naming opportunities still available, the Y continues to seek donations large and small to complete the project and expand its mission.
“I was a Y kid growing up in Selma, Ala., and am so grateful for the impact it had on my life,” says the President of The Board of Trustees for the YMCA of Rome and Floyd County, Mary Emily Galysh. “I’ve served on this board for over 12 years and the growth and support I’ve witnessed during this time has been amazing. I know our community will help us achieve our fundraising goal and, through their support, help more families to learn, grow, and thrive.”
With these upgrades to the park, the next 25 years can provide even more opportunities going forward. For anyone looking to get involved, information on naming opportunities, donations, and more is available at ymcarome.org.
“We are on track to have this project completed by early summer of 2025,” says McCreless. “This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our donors and community partners. We can’t wait to see all the good that comes from their investment in the families we serve.”