Great...it's about time! I have lived in a subdivision on Stone Mtn.-Lithonia Road for 20 years and my son played baseball at Wade Walker Park when he was younger. My husband and I have spoken to community leaders for many years about utilizing the park in a more impactful way. A YMCA will create a positive and meaningful element in the community. Hopefully, it will have Summer programs for our youths to keep them off the streets and ultimately decrease the rate of juvenile crimes. Kudos to Dekalb County!

They need to widen Rockbridge Rd.Starting from S.Hairston,untill Stone mtn.lithonia Rd.before they cut the ribbon this is going to increase traffic greatly.I am a 14 year resident of this area,and Rockbridge rd.is already backed up enough come rush hour!

Excellent!!!!!

This is great news as it addresses a need that has existed for many years. Hopefully it will provide an opportunity for our kids to play basketball. This is something definitely needed in Dekalb County.

On another note, I hope that Dekalb County will focus some attention on the tennis courts at Wade Walker. I'd like to see them resurfaced and lights added.

Agreed on all accounts! I commend the County leadership for partnering with the YMCA to bring this much-needed project to fruition.

Not sure if the items mentioned above are already part of the plan, but now is the time to address the strategic impact of traffic along Rockbridge Rd between Stone Mountain-Lithonia and South Hairston.

And the other poster's comments about the tennis courts are spot-on. Wade Walker's Baseball fields, pavillions and swing sets are in great shape, with accessible rest rooms and water fountains. However, the tennis courts are cracking, do not have lights nor water/restrooms. Similar Dekalb County parks like Blackburn and Dekalb Tennis Center are on par with basic standards seen throughout the metro area. It is unclear from the report whether the new project will address these shortcomings. It seems like the ideal opportunity to do so, and the local taxpayers absolutely deserve it.

I have been a home owner close to the park for 13yrs. and considered moving many times but the YMCA and the renovating the village inspires my wife and daughter to stay,we do love the area.

It's about time! I've been a resident of this area for 20 years, with membership at the Y on Snapfinger Road. I have also used facilities at the Decatur Y. I am situated exactly 10 miles from either of those facilities, and as years went by and traffic got worse, I began to regret not choosing to live in an area that was more convenient to a Y. Now, even though my children are grown, this news makes me happy because I now have grand-children that I can enjoy the Y with. I pray I am still here when it opens next year. I will definitely re-open my membership (if I can afford it).

Colin T
I think this is fantastic news for our community. This will be great for the values of our homes as well as the business community. It is about time that our leadership see the value that this communitys has to offer. There are other associations/businesses that want to come into our community because they see the value. It is nice that we are starting to see it also. Thank you Dekalb County and Parks and Recreation. Job well done.

I remember when former Dekalb County CEO, Vernon Jones announced a pool facility to be build at Wade Walker and feared the project might not have survived the change in administrations. It is wonderful! Why because this whole area is deficient in options to constructively engage our youth! They are wondering about the streets with too few accessible paces for physical activity. That situation will be aided by Wade Walker but clearly much more needs to happen to meet the needs of families, youth and seniors.

Wonderful idea, I have lived 1.5 miles from Wade Walker for the past 25 years. Spent many years watching my children play soccer at Wade Walker. Member of the ill-fated Rockbridge Swim Club for 20 years. Now, I swim at Mountain Park in Gwinnett. I will definitely move back to DeKalb when this facility is completed.

As for the previous poster who suggested widening Rockbridge Road? I hope this never happens. I would much prefer they put in bicycle lanes the entire length.

ALL roads are backed up during rush hour. Adding one lane to Rockbridge will not solve this problem.

People, the last thing we need is another high volume east-west thoroughfare. Use Memorial Drive, Hwy 78, Covington Highway, Redan Road, I-20. Let's make Rockbridge Road a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly road!

Awesome plan! Can't wait until next summer to utilize the facilities. I have an 8 year old so this will be beneficial to our family for years to come. Let's work on building an indoor aquatic park like they have in Gwinnett County next.

@ Janet-- I think that an indoor aquatic park in DeKalb County is a terrific idea!! Let's hope it happens--Deanna Cauthen

This is such a great addition to the community!! Any word if it is still on track to open this summer?

I'll see what I can find out, Shelby! Thanks for your comment!

Shelby, FYI, on Thursday night I asked DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis if the YMCA is still on track to open in this summer, and he said it is. Thanks for asking!

When will information on employment opportunities be available?

Hi K.A. - Great question; I'll see what I can find out.

http://www.ymcapass.com/metroatlantaymcaemployment.shtml

Thanks KM. I looked up the Wade Walker location, and the only job listed so far is Membership/Marketing Director. I'll check back to see when more are posted.

I am so happy about the YMCA becoming a reality in my neighborhood. I travel with my daughter 3 - 4 times a week to the East Lake and Decatur YMCA for Zumba and swimming lessons. Now that it is literally in my backyard, we can walk to the Y, save gas and money and let's not forget the traffic to and from both of the other locations I mentioned earlier.

I am truly excited about the YMCA becoming a positive part of my community.

Me, too, Pat! What a great resource!

I am a member of Gospel Tabernacle Church across the street from the park..I have been watchiing the progess and happy to see it come together. Can not wait until the YMCA is open

I am just excited about the Wade Walker YMCA! I will be able to cancel all my other gym memberships for one close to home!!! Hope it will be opening soon!

Hi Susan and Janyce, thanks your comments. It's slated to open in late summer. Patch will keep you posted!

I cannot wait! I just cancelled my membership with LA Fitness in Stone Mountain. This facility is much closer. Thanks

You're welcome, Deneise! Thanks for commenting. We still have several months to go, but it looks like it's worth the wait!

Hi Deneise - if you go to http://www.ymcapass.com/metroatlantaymcaemployment.shtml, there are a couple of jobs ready to apply for. I would imagine as the Y opening gets closer, there will be more jobs posted. Good luck!

I am so excited about the y coming to our area. I have three small children and it would be great to do something that is close to home. We play at wade walker park all the time. Hope they have water areobics and great excerise classes.
I dont think they sholudnt widen rodes but a bike path woulde be great

I have been anxiously awaiting this since the signs went up last year. I live 5 min away and I often walk at the park. I would love to participate in water aerobics and whatever else they have to offer.

does anyone know if this location will offer pre-school programs and all day summer camp for ages 2-5? I know other locations offer one or the other and right now my 5yr old attends PrimeTime at her local school. It'd be great to have her here year round along with my son. Thanks for any information to this regard.

Very much looking forward to the new Y. I agree that bike lanes are better and in line with health and wellness needs in our community, instead of widening Rockbridge Rd.

Will this YMCA be a workout gym as well?

Hey Patricia, great question. I'll see what I can find out! BTW, there will be a tour of the facility July 7. Details here: http://patch.com/A-tYRz

Patricia, read here for some info about what the Y will offer: http://patch.com/A-vfbh

Stop by the Membership office in the Food Depot plaza. It's located on the end behind McDonald. They have floor plans and already have aerobic class schedules available. I checked it out yesterday, 6/12/12 and was told the opening date is August 16. It was very comforting to know the splash pool/water park will only be accessible to Y members!!

Hey there, K.A.! Thanks for the info... Funny you should mention that...just wrote a quick story about it, glad to know folks are stopping in! :) http://patch.com/A-vfbh

When is it opening and can teenagers such as ages 16 n up get jobs here?

Hi Tameshaka, I just gave the Y a quick call and it looks like they've filled all their positions, but you can always check back: 678-781-9622.