MARTINSVILLE, Va. (rbs news now) — The Martinsville-Henry County YMCA received a $500,000 gift from ValleyStar Credit Union to support the construction of the new Lester Family YMCA.

In recognition of the donation, the indoor aquatic center in the new facility will be named the ValleyStar Aquatic Center.

“On behalf of all of our members in Martinsville and Henry County, we are proud to be able to support such an important project in the community,” stated Mike Warrell, ValleyStar CEO.  “This investment fits perfectly into the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” and ValleyStar’s corporate strategy to be more focused on the Martinsville area where the credit union was born over 73 years ago.”

The aquatic center will feature two pools designed for recreation, swim team use, senior water aerobics programs, swim lessons, and lifeguard training.

A small splash pad is also planned for the area.

“The YMCA will be able to expand its programs and services in aquatics with the new ValleyStar Aquatic Center,” said Brad Kinkema, CEO and Executive Director of the YMCA.

ValleyStar Credit Union, formerly known as Martinsville DuPont Credit Union, was chartered in 1953 to serve employees of the Martinsville DuPont Nylon Plant.

It has since expanded to serve 30 counties in Virginia and North Carolina.

The new YMCA will be built on a 7-acre site near the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Fayette Street, the current location of a shopping center.

The YMCA says the site is strategically positioned near Albert Harris Elementary School, the Fayette Historic District, Uptown Martinsville, and the Five Points Neighborhood.

In addition to the indoor aquatic center, the new facility will include:

• A large fitness center
• Three full-court gymnasiums
• An indoor elevated walking track
• Multiple group exercise and community rooms
• An early learning center
• Outdoor amenities, including a splash pad

The YMCA’s capital campaign has now raised more than $6 million from local community leaders, in addition to a $12 million gift from the Harvest Foundation.

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