A new outdoor multisport complex is officially open at the Eastside Family YMCA.
The complex features an outdoor functional fitness patio, airnasium, and a miniature soccer pitch and futsal court — the only one of its kind in South Carolina. Futsal is a scaled-down version of soccer created by a YMCA in South America. The airnasium is a lighted court covered by open-sided shelter.
A ribbon cutting was held on September 18 to celebrate the branch’s new outdoor expansion. Eastside YMCA broke ground on the project in February. Cameron McDowell, executive director of the Eastside YMCA, said the new outdoor complex cost $2.4 million to build.
“We are excited because we were dealing with limited-space issues here at Eastside Family YMCA, and this will help solve that,” McDowell said.
The 30-year-old YMCA facility currently serves more than double the number of members it was expected to when it was constructed. McDowell said that more than 4,500 children participate in the branch’s youth-sports programs. With the new expansion, the branch will be able to better serve children through its after-school program, summer camp and youth-sports programs.
The new outdoor complex will also help the branch offer more recreational activities for adults. For example, members will be able to play volleyball, basketball, futsal, and pickleball underneath the airnasium’s roof.
We are excited about an opportunity to be able to provide physical activity and social activity year-round — no matter if it’s raining outside, no matter if it’s bright and sunny or snowing even. This airnasium can do it all.”
Cameron McDowell