George W. Lester II, a Martinsville business leader, has committed $2.5 million to build the new YMCA near Uptown.
Lester, 85, is chairman of The Lester Group, one of the largest companies based in Martinsville. Lester diversified his father’s sawmill business into wholesale and retail building materials stores, forest land, commercial, industrial and residential real estate in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and manufacturing doors. Lester retired as CEO in 2018.
As a result of Lester’s commitment, the Martinsville-Henry County YMCA’s proposed new building will be named The Lester Family YMCA.
The Lester family currently includes approximately 35 members with their ancestors settling in the Figsboro community in 1804. “The Lester family has been a contributing member of the Martinsville-Henry County community, and it’s my privilege to make this gift honoring the legacy of our family’s community service,” said Lester.
“The YMCA leadership is grateful to Mr. Lester for his commitment to the proposed YMCA,” said Brad Kinkema, CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA. “We’re hopeful Mr. Lester’s commitment will encourage additional donations during the leadership phase of the fundraising campaign for the Y.” The projected cost of the building is $28 million. The Harvest Foundation has committed $12 million to the campaign.
The new Y will be situated on a 7-acre site near the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Fayette Street. The building will include a large fitness center, three full-court gymnasiums, an indoor aquatic center, indoor elevated walking track and group exercise spaces. The Early Learning Center, community rooms and outdoor amenities also will be included.
To learn more about plans for the new YMCA, call Kinkema at (276) 632-6427 or email brad@martinvilleymca.com.
