$5 million Y planned for NW Florida

"We've done enough homework through marketing studies and demographic studies that there's just no question that the Pace community is large enough to both need and support a larger YMCA than what we built in Navarre," said Skip Vogelsang, executive director of the YMCA of Northwest Florida.

The Navarre facility has about 17,000 square feet under its roof, Vogelsang said. The Pace branch could be anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet, he said.

The Pace branch likely would include a large outdoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, space for teen and senior activities with computers and game areas, a fitness center and locker rooms, Vogelsang said.

Pace resident Ed Carson, a member of the YMCA's board of directors, is participating on a planning committee for the new facility.

"There's a big need for the type of services that the Y can bring into the community," Carson said. "There's a lot of need for after-school care and the different recreation programs. One thing Pace does not have is a swimming pool. ... I don't think a child should live in Florida and not know how to swim."

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