The Bryan County YMCA is undergoing some major changes. A new executive director was just brought on board and the group is reportedly close to a land deal that could finally create a full facility in Richmond Hill.

Mary Arocha, a 20-plus year veteran of the YMCA, replaced Tony Welch as director of the Bryan County branches. Joel Smoker, Vice President of the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, said the transition was based on performance and sees Arocha as a key component in revitalizing the Richmond Hill and Bryan County YMCA.

"What we have on the horizon will offer a YMCA in Bryan County the caliber of which we have wanted to deliver for a very long time," said Smoker, a former Richmond Hill resident. "I’ve watched us go through 5-6 different directors and so many land deals that have fallen through, but it looks like it’s all finally coming together. We hope to make an (land) announcement by next week."

Smoker said he is hesitant to release details of land acquired for an expanded YMCA site "because we have walked to the altar so many times in Richmond Hill that I’m afraid of it falling through."

Arocha, who just moved her family to Richmond Hill, has previously worked with the Atlanta and Savannah YMCA branches and was most recently the director of the Wilmington Island branch.

"We are looking toward a bigger facility with the ability to offer more family programming," Arocha said. "Mainly why I’m out here is to get our name out into the community of what we can do. Especially in these economic times we’re in, more affordable family activities are very relevant."