Today over 150 children and adults braved the cold, wind and snow to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Tri-Lakes Family Center YMCA. All who attended were bundled-up and braving the cold, yet the atmosphere was warm, and the excitement was obvious.

Ladies and gentleman, individuals, businesses and community organizations who contributed more than $10,000 to the campaign were given their Maguire's Club cowboy hats to show their support for the campaign and their community. Tri-Lakes children, local political representatives, YMCA volunteers and VIPs helped out by digging up the first dirt where next spring they will be swimming in the new family fun pool.

This $15.8 million project will make a difference of thousands of families and children in the Tri-Lakes community for generations. Building a YMCA isn't about the structure of the facility. It's about: involving more than 20,000 youth, teens, adults, and seniors in programs and activities; providing community space for local organizations and groups; teaching aquatics safety to thousands of children and adults; enhancing existing YMCA childcare programs for local families; offering children the opportunity to learn and participate in youth sports programs; providing Tri-Lakes families the tools to live a healthy lifestyle; providing Tri-Lakes teens a safe, comfortable and positive environment and contributing to the lives of seniors with social and fitness programs.

The new Tri-Lakes Family Center YMCA allows the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region to further its mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.