Athens YMCA to host total solar eclipse event for community

Ashlyn Anderson
·2 min read

ATHENS, Texas (KETK) – The newly remodeled YMCA in Athens will be the hub for all things eclipse in the community.

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YMCA faculty said they are ready for eclipse watchers to gather at their facility, formally known as the Cain and Murchison Recreation Center, that sits on 85 acres of land.

The YMCA, located on Palestine Street, is hosting a total solar eclipse event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday.

“We have a huge green space outside Cain park. We have two large parking lots in the front and rear of the facility,” Cain Center YMCA executive director Jeremy Bumgardner, said.

There will be food by a local vendor and the Rotary Club will sell solar eclipse glasses for $5 to benefit local students.

“Come early and come hungry. We’ve got some nice fresh food that day that will be available for purchase through Treehouse,” Bumgardner said.

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The YMCA said people can watch the eclipse outside, inside the facility and even poolside. The pool will be free and open to anyone who wants to swim during the event.

“The Cain Center has always been a hub of this community. We wanted to ensure that during something that would be once in our lifetime, that folks could come here for free and experience it together,” Bumgardner said.

Many people are traveling near and far to join in on the fun, Bumgardner said people should show up early and find the perfect spot.

“I would bring in a couple of those collapsible lawn chairs and now we have a nice place to sit. You can sit on our decks in our parking lot and also in all the nice green spaces surrounding the facilities,” Bumgardner said.

The YMCA said if the weather is bad, there is plenty of space to sit inside.

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“There are a couple of covered areas where you can step outside and not get rained on. If the sky is visible, you’ll be able to see it from inside the facility and also outside the facilities,” Bumgardner said.

Faculty said they are excited to put on the event for the community because rain or shine, it will be a time to remember.

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