Bruce Holmes has childhood memories of spending time at the Brown YMCA, which is no longer open, and when he saw its current state a few months ago he felt obligated to get it back up and running.

Saturday Holmes’ new nonprofit organization, the New Selma Community Cares (NSCC), hosted a benefit to raise money for future renovations to the center.

“Things went great. I had great support from the city,” Holmes said. “Councilman Michael Johnson, Mayor George Evans, Council President Corey Bowie, Councilman [Benny] Tucker were there. We’re all working in this together to get this project done by next summer.”

The benefit featured gospel music with performances from the Spiritual Voices, a Montgomery based group, and the Morning Star Baptist male chorus.

Johnson said the benefit wasn’t attended as well as he hoped, but it was a good start.

“I wish everybody showed up, but we just didn’t have the people. I told Mr. Holmes don’t get discouraged because this is the first one,” Johnson said. “This is just a start, and we have to start somewhere … to get this going, and I think the next one when we get it organized will be a lot more attended than this particular one.”

Holmes said the Brown YMCA needs an estimated $250,000 worth of repairs before it can be reopened, but NSCC also has to get ownership of the property, which is currently owned by the YMCA of Selma-Dallas County.

Ann Murray, CEO of the YMCA of Selma-Dallas County, said the board is in the process of contacting the city to determine what to do with the building. Holmes said he expects to meet with Murray sometime this week or next week to discuss it.

“I am setting up a meeting with the director … and we should meet by the last of this week or by the early part of next week, and we’re going to get all the wrinkles ironed out and get through this red tape,” Holmes said.

Holmes said if things go according to plan, he hopes to have the Brown YMCA open within 15 months. Holmes said he feels like it will be a great opportunity for young people to get off the streets.

“There is so much crime going on, and these days most of the crime is when school is out. That is when all the crime is done,” Holmes said. “If we had the Brown YMCA in our community, that is another place kids could go and get those type of ideas off their mind. They could be inside, swimming, playing basketball or taking speech classes learning how to speak.”

Holmes said it would be a dream come true to see the Brown YMCA reopen its doors.

“With the support that I got on Saturday, I am pretty sure that the Brown YMCA will be operating soon within the next 15 months at least,” Holmes said.