When WINK News hosted a successful "WINK Listens" event at the North Campus of the Collier County YMCA, the building was a star of the event.
Exactly twelve years ago, a lightning strike ignited a fire that made headlines on WINK News. John Riley, the YMCA's Director of Development, said, "It's the best thing that ever happened to this organization."
The fire devastated the facility back then, leaving many in the community heartbroken. "It's terrible, it's a terrible thing," said a community member in an interview with tears in her eyes, recalling the YMCA as her go-to place.
Now, the YMCA is a state-of-the-art facility. Riley led WINK News on a tour, highlighting the building's flexibility and the variety of activities it hosts, from pickleball and basketball to youth sports. "We have a state-of-the-art facility," said Riley.
The YMCA also features a café, starkly contrasting to what existed before the fire. Riley mentioned that the community's swift response to rebuild was one of the quickest capital campaigns he had ever been involved in.
The fire ignited progress, transforming the YMCA into a new home for many. "This is my second home and the people in it have become my family," said a community member in a previous interview.
Riley expressed gratitude to the Collier County community for their support. "And so, I just want to say 12 years later, thank you to the Collier County community for really coming together and making sure that we have this kind of amenity," he said.
Even the parts of the building that didn't burn required a total remodel due to debris and water damage. WINK News thanks the YMCA for hosting the "WINK Listens" day.