AVON — A ceremonial “beam raising” was held Wednesday at the future site of a 67,000-square-foot YMCA in Avon.
The French Creek Family YMCA, which will open in March just a short walk from All Pro Freight Stadium, drew dozens of community members anticipating the building’s opening.

The new YMCA will be operated by the Greater Cleveland YMCA, which is paying about $5 million — or 40 percent — of its building costs. It will boast an eight-lane competitive swimming pool, an aerobics pool, basketball courts, a day care and other amenities and is expected to draw additional families to the area, as well as restaurants and hotels.

It is also expected to create 85 new jobs and bring in about $250,000 to $300,000 annually in federal, state and local taxes, according to the Greater Cleveland YMCA Web site. The new facility will have an operating budget of $2 million annually, including salaries and benefits of about $1 million.

Class participants from the Avon, Amherst and Elyria YMCA mimic the hand gestures from the Village People’s “YMCA” Wednesday during placement of the last beam for the French Creek Family YMCA in Avon. (Photo by Chuck Humel, The Chronicle-Telegram.)

The French Creek Family YMCA will feature an eight-lane competitive swimming pool — it just needs to be dug. (Photo by Chuck Humel, The Chronicle-Telegram.)