JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – March 27, 2019 – Today, the Charles H. Williams Family YMCA celebrated the kick-off of its tennis complex renovation project with a special groundbreaking commencement. About 150 guests gathered together on Court 4, the location of the first phase of the expansion project, to hear remarks from CEO Eric Mann, Williams Y Executive Director Charlie Chacos, Williams Y Tennis Director John Dister, Jack Toner and Allison Hollander, members of Williams YMCA Advisory Board and Tennis Capital Campaign committee. Upon completion, the Williams Family Y will have an all-new youth tennis program, nine full-sized tennis courts and a viewing gazebo.
“The Y is determined to turn a traditionally elite sport into an accessible and all-inclusive way for families to come together across Northeast Florida regardless of age, income or background,” said YMCA of Florida’s First Coast President and CEO Eric Mann. “The Williams Family branch is one of only three Y’s in Florida that offers a tennis program. We are so grateful to our sponsors and donors for allowing us the opportunity to create a positive and welcoming environment for players of all ages and skillsets.”
The Net Generation, an initiative started by the United States Tennis Association (USTA), is designed to empower children of all ages to develop skills at a pace suitable for each individual. The Williams Y’s innovative racquet sports facility will support this vision for the USTA by encouraging kids to adapt new skills. The renovation will revamp the current courts and input a gazebo for all players and spectators to enjoy.
“The unique strategy of our new youth program will allow children from all walks of life to feel a sense of community by bonding over the elite sport,” said Charlie Chacos, Executive Director of the Williams Family YMCA. “Our tennis program provides children with friendship, leadership skills, healthy lifestyles and the chance to discover a new-found passion. Again, we can’t thank our sponsors enough for the opportunity to make such a special addition to the Mandarin community.”
The Y ensures every individual has access to the essentials necessary to learn, thrive and grow. Enhancing the facility will serve even more members of the Mandarin community and promote healthy lifestyles at all ages.
For more information about the Williams Family YMCA, visit https://fcymca.org/locations/williams-family-ymca/.
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About the First Coast Y
For more than 110 years, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast has been providing men, women and children of all ages, and from all walks of life, opportunities to build stronger bonds, live healthy and become more engaged with their communities. Learn more: www.fcymca.org.
