Originally organized in the late 1880’s, the Gaston County Family YMCA has upheld the remaining constant of the Christian Mission of the YMCA and the outstanding leadership provided by countless volunteers and staff. Together the YMCA of Gaston County has evolved to ensure area youth and families have the opportunity to experience the YMCA mission which is “to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.”
Annual Report
Our 2010 annual report details some of the many accomplishments that the YMCA has done and outlines our future course. We’re excited at the outlook for Gaston County and will continue to focus on developing our community’s youth, empowering healthy living, and growing social responsibility.
YMCA History in Gaston County
William P. Fisk first organized meetings of what would become the Gaston County Family YMCA in the late 1880’s at the corner of Marietta and Main St. as a place for men to gather to have bible studies, study sessions and meetings. The location would later serve as the first library in Gastonia.
After a short disbandment, the desire for youth and family programs in the community was revived and the YMCA sprung up again in the mid 1950’s. The city of Gastonia donated a large piece of land at the corner of Franklin Blvd. and Trenton St. to the YMCA and after a capital funds drive, enough money was raised for a full facility YMCA. J.D. Hicks was the first General Secretary of the Gaston County Y when it was incorporated in 1956, where he remained until the early 1980’s, before Bob Neely succeeded him until 1989. Jim Mercer held the position for three years and Phil Morgan became the fourth Executive Director in the fall of 1992. Tony Sigmon is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Gaston County Family Y and has been serving in this role since 2006.
After adding a second gymnasium and racquetball courts to the original facility in 1975 and a small pool and two additional racquetball courts in 1985, the Y continued to grow in the area.
The association’s second branch, the East Gaston Family YMCA, was founded in 1992, followed by the Robert Lee Stowe, Jr. Family YMCA in 2000. The Cherryville branch soon followed in November 2003 and the South Gaston Family YMCA was opened in the old Gaston Athletic Club in January 2004, becoming the association’s fourth branch. Also in January 2004, the YMCA entered into a lease agreement with the Adelphotis Arahoviton Karyae (a Greek organization based in Charlotte) to operate a 52-acre park at the base of Gaston County’s Crowder Mountain. That location soon became the fifth branch, the Karyae Park YMCA Outdoor Family Facility.
What We Stand For
The Y is a worldwide movement of more than 45 million members in over 10,000 neighborhoods across our nation who strive to achieve a “healthy spirit, mind and body” through cooperation and community strengthening programs. We work everyday within our community to ensure everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive through our youth development, healthy living and social responsibility programs.
Metro Staff
Tony Sigmon
CEO – tsigmon@gastonymca.org
James Smith
CFO – jsmith@gastonymca.org
Sharon Padgett
VP of Operations – spadgett@gastonymca.org
Tammy Dickerson
Executive Administrative Assistant – tdickerson@gastonymca.org
Jessica Woodward
Accounting/Systems Manager – jwoodward@gastonymca.org
Judy McGee
Payroll/Accounts Payable Manager – jmcgee@gastonymca.org
Phyllis Davis-Brown
Financial Development and Outreach Director – phyllisb@gastonymca.org
Debbie Brown
Human Resource Director – dbrown@gastonymca.org
Susan Mosk
Activate America Project Director – smosk@gastonymca.org
