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Rotary Club of Tryon Foundation Chair Skip Taylor recently announced the Foundation’s commitment of $150,000 to help build the Polk County YMCA.

The gift is the Club’s largest ever and will name the new facility’s lobby for the Rotary Club of Tryon in memory of Don Lyons, whose generous bequest to the Rotary Club made this possible.

“We want to express our sincere appreciation for the enduring partnership between our organizations,” said YMCA Board Chairman Sam Galloway in expressing his gratitude for the Club’s leadership-level gift. “Your support is invaluable and will leave a lasting impact on this community in so many ways.”

Rotarian Ken Shull challenged club members to consider what they can do as individuals to support the YMCA.

“Rotarians should be leaders in our community, and we challenge you to be leaders for the YMCA,” Shull said. “The $150,000 commitment you heard about today was done in your name as a member of the Rotary Club of Tryon.”

Shull urged Club members to donate and participate in the YMCA building campaign, volunteer at YMCA events, and take an active role in promoting the YMCA in the community.

Earlier this year, after the County received a land gift valued at $1.4 million for the new facility, the YMCA Development Committee of the Polk County Board of Commissioners authorized a fundraising feasibility study to be conducted to help determine the Polk County YMCA facility budget. Results indicated a feasible fundraising goal of $5 million, and the “quiet phase” is underway.

To date, more than $700,000 has been pledged by individuals and foundations, including the Rotary Club, and in addition to the lobby, naming rights have been claimed for the indoor track, two of sixteen family locker rooms and the administrative area. Other naming opportunities still available include the wellness area, indoor pool, gymnasium and childcare areas. The facility itself may be named with a seven-figure commitment.

A public announcement of the capital fundraising campaign will be released in 2024 when the majority of the funds have been committed. For more information or to get involved, please contact Cassie Lloyd, YMCA Director of Mission Advancement at clloyd@spartanburgymca.org.