25 Years of Splashes, Smiles, and Service: A Milestone for the Stowe Family YMCA Pool
On July 17, 2000, the Stowe Family YMCA opened its doors to a brand-new pool, ushering in a new chapter of community wellness, water safety, and joyful connection. Captured in the Gaston Gazette and published on July 18, 2000, that same day was a photo of Mary Carter, one of the first members to take a swim in the sparkling new lap lanes. That moment wasn’t just a symbol of opening day, it marked the beginning of a 25-year legacy of impact, and Mary Carter is still swimming with us as a YMCA member today!
Fast forward to 2025, and the YMCA is once again making a splash, this time with the opening of our brand-new Outdoor Water Park at the Stowe Family YMCA. With colorful slides, splash zones, shaded gathering areas, and plenty of ways to cool off, the Water Park is already a new favorite gathering space for families across Gaston County.
But as exciting as these new features are, what we celebrate most is the community that surrounds them.
A Legacy of Service and Health
From day one, our pool has served as more than a place to swim. It has been a critical community resource:
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Swim Lessons & Safety Around Water: Generations of kids have learned life-saving water safety skills.
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Water Aerobics: A welcoming, low-impact exercise option for seniors and those recovering from injury.
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Lifeguard Training: Dozens of young adults and community members have launched careers in safety and recreation.
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Emergency Responder Training: Local firefighters, police, and EMTs have used our facility for real-world readiness.
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Competitive Swim Team: We’ve helped shape student-athletes and foster a love of sport and self-discipline.
And the list goes on. What makes our aquatics program so unique is not just the variety of offerings, but the community-building spirit that flows through every splash.
A Place for Every Generation
Over the years, we’ve welcomed infants in swim diapers and celebrated birthdays for seniors who found vitality in our warm water. We’ve seen family reunions, birthday parties full of laughter and cannonballs, quiet lap swims at dawn, and so many more memories in the making.
These moments build the fabric of a community. And they remind us why these waters matter so much.
Here’s to the Next 25 Years
Our new Water Park is more than an upgrade, it’s a commitment to the next generation. It honors the past while creating new memories and ensuring that every child, every adult, and every family has a place to gather, play, and grow.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you were here in 2000 like Mary, or just dove in this summer, you’re part of a vibrant story. And we can't wait to see where the next 25 years take us.