Demolition Day for YMCA Aquatics

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After more than 50 years of use, the walls are coming down at a swimming pool in Fargo.

It’s demolition day at the YMCA for a revamp of their aquatics facility.

Coffee companions and friends for years, these gals spend their days at the YMCA pool.

They say it’s not only for their physical help, but also their mental.

Charlotte Carlson said,”A lot of us live alone and it’s a chance of getting together. It seems like you can be very down, and you can come to water aerobics and have coffee and you just feel good afterwards.”

Those who work at the YMCA say it’s been a long time coming for the multi–million dollar renovation at the aquatics facility.

The paints falling off the walls and the cracks are growing.

YMCA Aquatics Director Britt Selbo said, “It’s outlived its day, most pools last 25–30 years and this one’s 50, 53, 54 years old. So it was for sure time.”

Renderings of the renovation show extra lanes in the lap pool, windows adorning the south wall and a kid’s pools, which means a whole lot of work.

Roer’s Construction Lance Ziebarth said, “We have to tear this existing building down, and tear the pool out. And the new pool will go into essentially the same footprint so there’s a long way backwards before we can go forwards.”

And swimmers say they’ve been ready for this renovation.

Bea Johnk who’s been swimming at the YMCA for more than 20 years said, “It was needed really badly; we’re going to miss it, a lot! But, none the less, it’s going to be so worth it when it’s done.”

The coffee gals will be out of their favorite pool for now, but builders hope to have it back up and running by next spring.

Open Locations:

Island Park Pool: 616 1st Ave S, Fargo

Fargo South: 1840 15th Ave S, Fargo

Fargo North: 801 17th Ave N, Fargo

Family Wellness: 2960 Seter Pkwy, Fargo

Riverview: 5300 12th St S, Fargo