New Look For Barnes Branch YMCA As Plans For Soccer In The Works

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Benjamin Barnes Branch YMCA on 18th Street now has a fresh new look after volunteers painted the exterior of the building in the latest effort to boost its appeal.

Susan Austin Warner was funding source for the project and hopes the vibrant colors on the outside will attract more interest for the programs offered inside.

"My late husband Jack Warner was a big benefactor of the YMCA historically and I wanted to continue in that tradition," she told Patch on Wednesday. "So I talked with [YMCA Membership Director Shane Reeves] and we kind of hit on a couple of things, but the one that’s happening today is the opportunity to start YMCA soccer here at the Barnes. They showed me the downtown Barnes Branch and it's a brand new facility, and I didn’t want to support something here unless we made it a little more appealing."

Jose Jimenez, owner of Jimenez Professional House Painting LLC, headed up work on the outside, as his crew added green and gray to the building's colors.

Warner also said Jimenez, who serves as a soccer coach at Paul W. Bryant High School, would be instrumental in the development of youth soccer in the West End.

"I'm really excited about starting soccer here and getting to know the staff," she said. "They are just great and they do a great job with basketball and baseball already and they are thrilled about adding soccer."

YMCA of Tuscaloosa County CEO Jeff Knox expressed his gratitude for Warner's generosity and said the exterior work is just the latest piece in actualizing the potential of the Benjamin Barnes Branch YMCA.

"I think it's important because it's vital our equipment and facilities match the quality of investments we put in our programs and staff," he told Patch. "First impressions do matter. Inside the facility is great. We have new equipment and we’ve redone most of the guts of it, and now we’re focusing on the exterior."

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.