Work on the YMCA capital project is churning forward. Last week a massive parking lot alongside the south side of the Sudden Street campus was ripped out to make way for fresh aggregate and a healthy new face of asphalt.

Dane Rasmussen, grade setter for Duran & Venables Inc., said that work crews are setting the base for the 28,000-square-foot lot with the addition of 2,000 tons of aggregate. The project calls for two concrete valley gutters, several planters and landscaping. A 3-inch layer of asphalt will be smoothed out and then striped for parking spots.

Monica Sullivan, executive director at the YMCA, said the parking lot work and materials are largely donated by Granite Construction, Silvestri Construction and Don Chapin Company. Weather permitting, Sullivan said, the parking lot project should wrap up Dec. 26.

Landscaping will be done by Swenson’s Landscaping.

Sullivan, who started at the YMCA in 2001 as a project director, said part of the parking lot replacement, which spans from Brennan Street to Sudden Street, is being paid for by neighboring businesses that share the same lot.

The overall capital project, Sullivan said, is largely funded by money raised in the community. The project includes the demolition and rebuilding of the front of the YMCA building, the construction of four locker rooms, offices, a lobby and a kids’ zone for child care. The YMCA’s fitness center has been completely remodeled and now features new heating and air conditioning. Sullivan said the YMCA will also feature a youth and team multi-purpose room, and a group exercise room for various programs. Finishing and baseboard work continues, and carpet installation has yet to be completed.

“None of this would be possible without our donors and volunteers,” Sullivan said. “It’s just incredible to see our community come forward to help with a project of this scale.”

Completion is scheduled for sometime in January.

“It’s been exciting to see all the changes,” Sullivan said. “Our members have been able to continue to come to the Y and use the facilities throughout the construction.”

About 350 kids continue to take part in the YMCA’s basketball program. A first-ever cheerleading program has been created, and has about 35 participants.

Membership at the YMCA is about 1,100, but Sullivan said that the number of program participants bumps that number up considerably.

“This has all been an inspiration to me,” Sullivan said.