The Allard Center YMCA kicked off the grand opening of its newly renovated $2.5 million dollar center with an open house and series of events for all ages.

The renovations are the culmination of five years of planning and a three-year capital campaign that raised $3.5 million, or $600,000 more than the original goal for the Allard Center and the downtown Manchester YMCA. The renovations at the downtown Manchester facility were dedicated last October, and the extra money allowed more extensive renovations at the Allard Center, said Hal Jordan, president and CEO of the Greater Manchester Family YMCA.

“It’s so exciting,” said Hal Jordan, “It’s been a dream of mine and of so many parents and kids. There’s been so much support in the community for it.”

The center expanded its climbing wall from 600 square feet to a 2,000 square foot wall that can accommodate up to 16 kids climbing at the same time and even has a cliff-like ledge structure with a “cave” on top.

“It’s a very unique,” said Jordan. “I’ve been to almost every YMCA in the Northeast and nobody has a climbing wall like this.”

“I think it’s awesome,” said Marty Lefave, whose daughter Madison, 12, had caught the rock-climbing bug during summer camp and was getting certified to belay. “This is a great new addition. It’s wonderful for the kids.”

The new facilities also include a spacious 8,000 square foot gymnastics gymnasium with a tumble track and a pit filled with soft foam cubes.

“One of the largest programs we offer is gymnastics, and the program had grown well beyond the capacity of the old facility,” said senior program director Jerry Hapgood. The increased space, tumble track and foam pit “really allow you to bring gymnastics to another level,” he said.

The center also created a gleaming new dance studio, to complement the new dance program for kids. Hapgood expects to have more than 400 kids enrolled in the program. The old skate park was reborn into a fitness and weight training center, the child watch room was expanded, and a three-quarters gymnasium suitable for basketball, volleyball, dodgeball and other activities was added. The parking lot was renovated as well with a new entrance and 15 additional spaces.

Dedications were held on Thursday, Nov. 15, for different parts of the renovated facility for its major donors, including Elliot Health System, Centrix Bank, Hannaford, and Stibler Associates LLC, which was also actively involved designing for the new gymnastics center.

On Friday, Nov. 16, the center opened its doors to the community with “Adventures in Healthy Aging” and a health fair during the day for seniors from communities around Manchester and Goffstown. Seniors were able to try out the climbing wall, kayak in the pool, and participated in a variety of activities.

“We’re looking to get more feedback from seniors to see what they want to do. We want to be able to provide things for all the levels, including active seniors,” said Hapgood.

At night, the event transformed into a family affair as kids and parents played games, entered swimming relays and mini-triathalons, climbed walls and navigated through obstacle courses in the gymnastics gymnasium.

“There will be a lot more opportunities for kids in Goffstown and surrounding communities,” said Jordan. He expects to gain more than 500 new members over the next three years.