Caine Halter Family YMCA honors legacy families with ceremonial ribbon cutting

As part of the YMCA of Greenville’s recreational capital improvements at its oldest family branch in Greenville County, the Caine Halter Family YMCA hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting to celebrate the official dedication of two courts in its newly renovated gymnasium. While the gymnasium had been previously named in memory of Buck Alston Mickel, the event also marked the naming of two of the gym’s courts in honor of the Goldsmith and Ryan families. In a special moment during the event, community donors were recognized for their collective support that helps ensure the YMCA can continue to strengthen the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Gymnasium enhancements

Generations of Greenvillians from all walks of life have learned to play, grow, and compete in the Buck Alston Mickel Memorial Gymnasium at the Caine Halter Family YMCA. Today, the gym serves more than 2,000 youth annually through basketball and volleyball programs, while also providing adults with opportunities to stay active and connect through pick-up basketball and indoor pickleball. The space is also a hub for year-round programming, including the YMCA’s popular summer day camps and afterschool activities.

Thanks to the philanthropic support of the community, including the Goldsmith and Ryan families, the gymnasium has recently undergone a major transformation, creating a safer, more modern, and more welcoming environment for all. Enhancements include new retractable basketball goals, resurfaced and restriped floors, improved acoustics, new scoreboards and modern safety features like new wall padding.

To honor their impact, Court 1 now bears the name of Paul Goldsmith and his family, while Court 2 honors Joe Ryan —both symbols of community volunteers, leaders, and teammates that embody the YMCA’s values and the families’ lasting influence.

“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and legacy of support that runs through our YMCA community,” said Sam Franklin, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greenville. “The memorial gym is a powerful tribute to those whose vision and commitment helped shape this Y. These improvements are more than just facility upgrades—they’re an investment in people. Because of our donors’ philanthropic spirit, generations to come will have a welcoming place to grow stronger, build connections, and thrive together.”

Extended outdoor swimming season

Donors and guests also toured the newly upgraded aquatics center, highlighting the DynaDome retractable roof over the outdoor pool—another key improvement in the Caine Halter Family YMCA’s capital upgrades. This innovative addition allows for year-round access to swim lessons, water fitness classes, therapeutic programs, and Special Olympics training. The space now serves more than 1,200 participants annually, along with countless lap swimmers daily. The DynaDome reflects the YMCA’s ongoing commitment to safety, wellness, and inclusion for individuals of all ages and abilities.

Building a brighter tomorrow

These facility upgrades are part of a larger recreational capital improvement plan at the Caine Halter Family YMCA, which also includes renovations to the Frank M. Dupree, Jr. Tennis Center, sports fields, an outdoor pavilion with restrooms, and infrastructure improvements such as parking and repaving the walking track.

For information on the YMCA’s vision or to get involved in the Caine Halter Family YMCA’s recreational capital improvement plan, please contact MaryEllis Petrosian at (864) 535-5131.

About the YMCA of Greenville, SC

The YMCA of Greenville is a cause-driven non-profit organization. Our mission is, following the example of Christ, to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the health and well-being of our community and provides opportunities to give back and help support our neighbors. Founded in 1876, the Y serves more than 70,000 people annually through programs that include after-school care, resident and day camps, aquatics, youth and adult sports, and health and wellness. Programs are offered through four family branches, as well as the Verdae YMCA, Life Center YMCA, YMCA Camp Greenville, and YMCA Judson Community Center. The Y is also home to Y Teen Services and the SC Youth in Government programs. For more information about the YMCA of Greenville, visit ymcagreenville.org, or call (864) 412-0288.