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The YMCA of Delaware is delighted to announce the opening of the brand-new outdoor Splash Pad adjacent to the Middletown YMCA Silver Lake Pool. A launch party event will be held for YMCA members on Friday, July 22nd at the Silver Lake YMCA Pool site located at 404 N. Cass Street, Middletown, DE 19709. The new 3,500 square foot area features a series of water cannons and jets, interactive fountains, a spinning toadstool, raindrop bullfrog, foam geyser and more. With zero-entry and virtually no standing water, the installation is not only wheelchair friendly, but eliminates the risk of drowning and is ideal for non-swimmers. Construction of the site began in March 2022 and opened to members on Monday, July 18th. “We are incredibly excited to add the Splash Pad to our Middletown Pool Complex”, said Tamisha Hopkins, Middletown YMCA Executive Director. “The new site provides a fun and safe space for children with all abilities to enjoy play time with each other while staying cool in the summer heat.” The Splash Pad addition is part of the new Middletown YMCA construction project. Upon completion, the brand-new YMCA will boast a full-sized gymnasium, indoor pool, universal fitness options for individuals with diverse abilities, multiple fitness studios, a STEM room for youth, children’s adventure zone, a community education room, universal locker room, and a spacious lobby. Additionally, the Middletown YMCA will feature an outdoor wellness space, made possible by the State of Delaware, providing a full-court public basketball court, two flexible public cross courts used for pickleball, an outdoor playground, functional mobile wellness space for outdoor fitness classes, and cross beneficial parking serving the New Castle County Library Middletown Branch, Silver Lake Elementary School, Silver Lake Pool, recreation and sports fields, and the YMCA. The YMCA will never turn anyone away due to financial need. To make YMCA memberships and programs accessible to all, they provided nearly $2.5 million in financial assistance to low-income families and individuals in 2021. It is anticipated that the new Middletown Y will provide over $500,000 annually in financial assistance to the local community. This $26 million dollar expansion is being funded by community support. The YMCA has launched a fundraising campaign to raise the last $2 million dollars needed to complete the project. Community collaborations and successful fundraising are critical to achieving the vision of bringing a new YMCA to Middletown. For more information about making a donation to help build our Y, visit donate.ymcade.org/middletowncampaign.