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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

The YMCA of Chilton County board of directors has selected Kendall Roper as its next president.

“I am looking forward to working with Lori (Patterson, director and CEO) and the rest of the board to continue to grow the YMCA and what we are able to provide for the community,” Roper said.

Roper has served on the board in other capacities for the past two years. Her term as president will be for three years.

“I think she will be a great president to help us to continue to serve the youth in our community and guide the rest of the board in making good decisions,” Patterson said.

The Y board of directors has 14 members with James Robert Parnell stepping into the vice president position and Ali Patterson serving as secretary.

Roper said she connected with the Y because of her children participating in after-school and sports programs there.

“I saw it as a good place to serve the community,” Roper said.

A recent project for the Y was installing an irrigation system in the soccer field through funding from CAWACO and a private donor. Soccer starts in April at the Y and has 250 children signup.

Future renovations are planned for the weight room and gymnastics program. There are about 200 children in the gymnastics program, which includes a competitive team.