SANFORD — It has been several years in the making but the new addition to the Sanford Springvale YMCA is complete.

To celebrate, the Y is hosting a Grand Opening on Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. and winding down at 1 p.m. Then, there’s a free public swim until 4:15 p..m, said Marketing Director Sari Hazzard.

The addition offers a brand new 5,500-square-foot fitness center, a larger group fitness studio, a Child Watch space, program spaces and a community game room. Renovations to existing facility space will include a new, larger preschool space with construction anticipated to be complete in October, Hazzard said. In December, Southern Maine Heath Care will lease 4,700 square feet of the Y’s existing facility to expand its Sports Performance Program.

The celebration on Sunday, open to all, will feature guided tours, giveaways, raffles, and family fun such as a bounce house, arts and crafts, outdoor games, food and live music.

The expansion effort began in 2011 and has enjoyed wide community support.

“The Y is more than a gym. It’s a cause,” said Merilee Perkins, the Y’s senior program director. “We are dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the health and well-being of our community, and giving back and providing support to our neighbors. Our new, larger facility space equips us with a greater ability to live our organization’s cause of strengthening community.” 

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.