YMCA of Coastal Carolina rolls out ‘Vision 2030’ plan, hopes to partner with Horry County Schools
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — As YMCA of Coastal Carolina looks to expand its offerings over the next five years, officials hope Horry County Schools has a role to play in the plan.
"Over the last six months, we've been going through a significant planning process discussing how the Y, with partners like the school system and others, can go forward and make a difference in the lives of kids," CEO David Byrd told board members on Monday.
The Myrtle Beach-based organization is looking to expand into areas including Conway, Aynor and Loris while addressing critical community needs such as accessible child care, water safety courses for youth and mental health initiatives.
In 2023, South Carolina's 22 YMCAs served nearly 129,000 people. Last year, the Coastal Carolina branch offered services to 4,700, Byrd said.
Also on Monday, Horry County Schools' leaders considered changes to either name or rename several facilities.
The former Whittemore Park Middle School campus would become Horry County Schools Rivertown Complex, while Carolina Forest's new school would be dubbed "Ten Oaks Elementary" with a red fox as its mascot.
A new elementary school on Ronald McNair Boulevard would become "Pine Island Elementary School" with a pelican mascot.
Board members on Monday also met behind closed doors to discuss the future of its charter agreement the PALM Academy of Learning Motorsports, although no action was taken.
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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at . See more of his work here .
