After years and years of planning, the new Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA is finally coming to fruition.

Officials said they couldn’t be more pleased to be moving forward with a 72,000-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art facility in Upper Hanover Township.  Township supervisors granted final approval for the plan at a meeting last week.

        “This approval affords the Y the ability to serve thousands of families in Upper Hanover Township and surrounding communities,” said Michael Tannous, branch executive director for the Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA.

        “As a leading non-profit, the Y relies on the generosity of local businesses and individual contributions.  We will continue to rely on corporate and community support to drive our project forward.”

        Tannous said construction of the facility will kick off at a ground-breaking ceremony Oct. 29 at the site of the new Y, 1399 Quakertown Road in Upper Hanover.  The organization’s goal is to open the doors in early 2015. 

      More information on the grand opening will be released soon, Tannous said.

      The new building will sit on a 32-acre parcel of Kistler-Bitting Park, adjacent to the current 16-acre parcel of YMCA facilities, which include outdoor pools, baseball fields, a skate park and basketball and hockey courts.

      The new facilities will include a two-story atrium grand lobby, a wellness center equipped with cardio conditioning and strength training equipment, an aquatic center with three pools, an oversized gym, a child/family center group exercise studios and much more, Tannous said.

      The project is slated to provide 200 new full- and part-time jobs to the valley.

       “It’s very exciting.  It’s going to be a wonderful facility that will serve the entire region,” said Upper Hanover Township Manager Stan Seitzinger.  “It has been a long process. This is really a noteworthy event for the valley.”

      One portion of the new facilities, in particular, has people talking – the indoor aquatic offerings.

      “While we have enjoyed many years of a great partnership with The Perkiomen School, the new pool complex is designed to meet the needs of our growing community.  We are excited to be able to provide indoor pools to area residents and surrounding community members,” Tannous noted.

      Overall, he said the new Y will provide a tremendous impact on the community.  In addition to providing new jobs, it is slated to serve more than 20,000 area residents and will be able to host more programs and services for the growing community, which will promote youth development, healthy living and social development, which will “lead to a fun, safe and healthier neighborhood.”