Local officials this week took a major step toward advancing the Kernersville Family YMCA’s vision for a rapidly growing community.
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Wednesday morning’s event included a groundbreaking ceremony for a new outdoor “airnasium,” a covered, open-air facility aimed at expanding the YMCA’s slate of programming.
As part of an ongoing capital campaign, the project’s first phase calls for construction of an 8,000-square-foot multipurpose space featuring basketball, pickleball, and volleyball courts, along with areas for group exercise, youth programs, and community events. Future phases include additional restrooms, storage space, and new T-ball fields.
Ashley Sinclair, chair of the local YMCA board, said the ceremony marked more than the start of construction.
“This is a very proud moment for us, for our staff, and for the community,” she said. “This airnasium will give us space to grow — space that will allow us to serve the youth, expand programs, create more opportunities for people of all ages, and stay active and engaged.”
The idea has been years in the making. Capital campaign chair Whitney Hunter noted discussions dating back to 2019 focused on how the YMCA could evolve alongside Kernersville’s growth.
“Those conversations led us to think about how we could be more inclusive and innovative,” she said. “And the concept of an airnasium emerged.”
Hunter emphasized the facility’s flexibility, noting it will support everything from summer camps and youth sports to senior wellness activities and adaptive programs.
“This groundbreaking represents the beginning of something much bigger than just a building,” she added. “It’s an investment in connection, growth and opportunity.”
Community leaders echoed that sentiment, including Kernersville Chamber of Commerce President Chris Comer, a former YMCA employee.
“There’s no other community the size of Kernersville with the amenities this YMCA offers, nor the volunteers who give so selflessly of their time, talents, and treasures,” she said. “The community wraps its arms around the Y, and the Y wraps its arms around them as well.”
Mayor Dawn Morgan highlighted the broader impact of the project, noting that multipurpose spaces often evolve in ways communities can’t fully predict.
“When you create something like this, you’re creating opportunity for countless uses,” she said.
State Rep. Donny Lambeth, who helped secure $1 million in state funding for the project, closed with a broader perspective.
“As we turn the dirt today, let’s remember: We’re not just building a facility; we are building opportunities. We are building relationships.”
Click here for more information about the project.
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