The Martinsville-Henry County YMCA has received a significant boost for its new facility with a $500,000 gift from Clay Campbell and his sister, Sarah Fain. The donation supports the construction of the Lester Family YMCA, a state-of-the-art facility planned for Martinsville.
Campbell, who serves as president of NASCAR’s Mid-Atlantic Region, and Fain are the grandchildren of H. Clay Earles, the founder of Martinsville Speedway. Their gift underscores their commitment to enhancing the community’s health and wellness resources.
“This new YMCA will have a tremendous impact on so many residents throughout Martinsville and Henry County,” Campbell said. “Sarah and I are pleased to be able to support such an important community project. This new YMCA will benefit every age group, from our youngest preschool children to our oldest senior population.”
The new YMCA will be located at the 7-acre site near the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Fayette Street. The former shopping center site will be strategically located to the Albert Harris Elementary School, the Fayette Historic District, Uptown Martinsville, and the new Five Points Neighborhood. The proposed facility will include a large fitness center, three full-court gymnasiums, indoor aquatic center, indoor elevated walking track, and multiple group exercise and community rooms. An Early Learning Center and many outdoor amenities are also part of the plans.
“On behalf of the YMCA, and the entire community, we are extremely grateful to Clay and Sarah for their early leadership support of our new facility,” said Dru Rothrock, a member of the Capital Campaign Committee. “It is very fitting that we will recognize their gift with the naming of the new indoor running track.”
The YMCA began the quiet leadership phase of a major capital campaign in September. To date, the YMCA has raised over $4.5 million from local community leaders in addition to Harvest Foundation’s $12 million gift.
To learn more about the plans for the new YMCA, contact Brad Kinkema, Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA CEO at (276) 632-6427 or brad@martinsvilleymca.com.
