GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY August 21, 2009

Representative Tom Perriello, 5th District Congressman, will be in Clarksville on Friday for Ground Breaking.
The Mecklenburg County Community Services Corporation (MCCSC) is inviting the Clarksville community to a Ground Breaking Ceremony on Friday, August 21,2009 at 3:30 p.m. on Noblin Farm Road for the new Lake Country Education and Enrichment Center. Following the ceremony, everyone is invited to a Reception at the Best Western on the Lake Conference Center.
Plans have been underway since April 2005 for the 15,000 square foot facility, which will house the Mecklenburg County YMCA, the Distance Learning Center (formally the Verizon Center), and Southside Virginia Community College Workforce Training Classes. In May 2006 the MCCSC received its 501© 3 non-profit designation and began a Capital Campaign to construct a building on the ten acre site of the J. H. Yancey Soccer Complex on Noblin Farm Road south of Clarksville. In July of 2006 the MCCSC received a $200,000 grant from the Tobacco Commission and begin working with the USDA Rural Development on planning and funding for the facility.
Jim Stevenson, Architect, and Michael Killian, Engineer, both of Henderson, were hired to design the building. In 2008 a grant for $196,000 was received from HUD towards construction of the Center, followed by the final approval of the $1.1 million USDA loan. In addition local governments, both the Town of Clarksville and Mecklenburg County have committed to supporting the project. The Clarksville Ruritan Club, which had earlier pledged $25,000 towards equiping the Workforce Training area, added another $82,000 to be used to equip the YMCA Wellness Center, and the USDA rewarded an additional $50,000 grant for equipment and furnishings. In July 2009 the MCCSC contracted with Blair Construction of Gretna, Virginia to build the facility and in August 2009 the USDA loan was completed.
During these four years the community has supported the project by attending fund raisers, joining the 100 Club, buying signs on the Soccer Fields, and giving generously to name rooms, buy bricks, clear soccer fields, drill wells, plant grass—donating time and resources—giving the equivalent of $500,000 toward the project.
In addition to the J. H. Yancey Soccer Complex and the new Center, which will open in the spring of 2010, plans are underway to add a gym and pool to the complex when funds are available.
For more information or questions, please contact Joe Davidson, President, MCCSC, (434)374-5555, fax (434)374-0131.

Officials at the Ground Breaking Ceremonies on August 21, 2009

President Joe Davidson and State Senator Frank Ruff conducting Welcoming and Opening remarks for the day.

THE "100 CLUB" RECOGNITION RECEPTION

A Recognition Reception was held at the Clarksville Community Center on April 11, 2007 for those who have contributed to the efforts of the Lake Country Education and Enrichment Center. Many were recognized and thanked for their time and efforts to help in the construction of the Center. Many community leaders and Mecklenburg County Community Services board members were on hand to extend their thanks for the dedicated efforts and contributions in time and labor to the contractors, business leaders, and county citizens that have enabled the center to progress.

Others who were recognized were members of the "100 Club". This group of contributors have given $1,000, and pledged another $1,000 for the next 4 years to help raise monies for the Lake Country Education and Enrichment Center.

Our speaker for the evening was Woody Caudle, Director of the Henderson YMCA, who spoke on the enduring qualities of participating in a YMCA environment. Woody delivered an inspirational message on the benefits of a strong YMCA in a small community like Clarksville. He provided encouragement to those in the community who are working so hard to bring this to Clarksville and the Lake Country.

Won't you take a minute and pledge or donate to the efforts of the community to build our Lake Country Education and Enrichment Center? Just click on the Pledge/Donation link below; print the document, complete the form and send it to the Mecklenburg County Community Services Corporation. Pledge/Donation Form