Alabaster YMCA officials have asked city leaders to donate nearly seven acres of land at the Buck Creek Mill site in Siluria for an expanded recreational and fitness facility.

Alabaster YMCA branch director Gwen Hatcher confirmed that her office had sent a letter to city leaders and the two groups have since opened lines of communication.

&8220;Currently, we only have a program center,&8221; Hatcher said. &8220;After doing a market study, we&8217;ve determined that Alabaster is the best place to build a full-scale facility.&8221;

The new facility would include full workout areas, a swimming pool and other recreational areas.

Alabaster Economic Development Executive Director Cam Ward, who also serves on the local YMCA board, said the additions would make a great service in the community even better.

&8220;In order to better serve the area, they need a new home,&8221; Ward said. &8220;The current building is just too old and small. It&8217;s way past it&8217;s prime.&8221;

The YMCA programs building, which Ward said was built in the 60s, sits on a one-acre lot adjacent to the old mill.

&8220;It would be a great help to our residents to have such a facility so close,&8221; Ward said.

Current YMCA members must travel to Pelham&8217;s branch in order to use fitness and recreational areas, Hatcher said.

In addition to asking for the land, Hatcher said the branch has also entered into an agreement to purchase 39 acres a little over a mile down Highway 119 from the current building for athletic fields.

&8220;Alabaster is growing so fast,&8221; Hatcher said. &8220;We&8217;re just seeing the need to keep up in order to better serve the community.&8221;

As of Monday, no official date for considering the request had been set by Alabaster city leaders