First National Bank, a 150-year-old Maine community bank based in Damariscotta with 16 locations from Boothbay to Bangor to Eastport, announced a gift of $50,000 to the Central Lincoln County (CLC) YMCA’s capital campaign. The generous gift was recently recognized during a check presentation at First National Bank.

The Y’s capital campaign is to raise funds to build a sustainable new facility that meets the critical and diverse needs of the community. The facility design, which includes the renovation of the existing building, plus an aquatic center, is estimated to cost $8.5 million. The generous gift from First National Bank earns them naming rights on the front welcome desk and helps the Y reach the $8.5 million mark toward the cost of the renovation. To date, the Y has raised $3.8 million.

“For more than 30 years, the YMCA has been at the heart of our great community, providing vital services that promote healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility,” said Tony McKim, president and CEO of First National Bank. “This project is significant to this community and we are proud to be a part of it.”

The CLC YMCA plans to actively raise funds throughout the remainder of the year with the hope that the $8.5 million goal will be met. However, if the full amount is not raised, the Y will take a phased approach to the plan, beginning with the renovation of the existing facility plus some new construction, consisting of a suite of lockers, a new front entry and new access corridor, adding the aquatic facility in phase two.

Dennis Anderson, board chair of the Y, added, “First National Bank believes in working together to create an even better community, which is evident by their donation. We are grateful for their support in helping us reach our goal to build a better us.”