KEARNEY, Neb. — Seven years after expansion talks first started, the Kearney Family YMCA has cut the ribbon on its addition and renovation.

“It’s really exciting to get this complete, but it’s really exciting to be able to serve the community of Kearney," CEO Ray Longoria said. "We’re ready for the future.”

Board members and donors joined Longoria to introduce the community to the new space. They also let some of the Y’s youngest members get in on it.

“We wanted to be able to set this project up to serve our community for 20 years to come," Longoria said. "So when this guy is a little bit older, he’s going to be able to utilize this and use the services that we can offer.”

The YMCA raised $12.7 million to pay for the expansion and renovation. It includes a new welcome center, community kitchen, new group exercise rooms and a renovated second floor complete with classrooms and yoga space. The wellness center is two-and-a-half times bigger than before and outfitted with brand-new equipment.

Employees are raving about the upgrades.

“It’s just a fun space. It makes me happy. You walk in and the daylight, and the bright colors — I think that’s one of my other favorites is all the colors,” Business Operations Director Liz Cooley said. “Upstairs before was just dark. Even to just walk into work and have all that natural sunlight every morning is so much nicer. Our members love it.”

“Seeing everybody kind of grow into their space and having the ability to actually hang out with each other and not be on top of each other all the time has been really nice,” Family Program Coordinator Savanna Fredrick said.

The project took a year-and-a-half to complete. Now that it’s finished, Longoria says he’s eager for what’s next.

“It is about the building, but it’s about the impact that you’re making for us moving forward," Longoria said. "We’re excited about that, we really are.”

New Addition: wellness and fitness center, group activity studios, gathering area, lifestyle coaches and development areas, community meeting room and learning kitchen, child watch.

Renovation: super gym, yoga studio, locker rooms, education center, family center.