By Brenna R. Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BURLINGTON - The ball fields in Boone Woods Park have been plowed under for weeks, but on Tuesday, ground was officially broken for construction of a new YMCA.

The $7.5 million YMCA will be named for R.C. Durr, a Boone County businessman who donated money for construction of the building, which will be on 11 acres in Boone Woods Park.

The 46,000-square-foot YMCA will include an outdoor pool featuring a 15-foot slide and a "spray ground" with interactive water fountains.

The building, which is being built by Paul Hemmer Cos., should be complete by May.

The new building will replace the Tri-City YMCA, which was sold to Boone County last year.

Under an agreement with the county, the outdoor pool will be open to the public. The county is paying $500,000 for the YMCA to enlarge the pool to accommodate residents.

The Y will have two pools; a gymnasium, health and fitness complex; aerobics studio; and spaces for public gatherings. It will be able to accommodate about 2,500 families.

The county bought the Tri-City YMCA and Union Swim Club from the YMCA last year for $2.5 million.

That left the YMCA needing to raise $5.3 million for the new building.

YMCA officials would not say how much Durr donated, but said he was the largest single contributor.

Durr, 80, of Richwood, is the owner of R.C. Durr Co., one of Kentucky's most successful highway construction firms.

He is chairman of the executive committee for the Bank of Kentucky and serves on the board of the Northern Kentucky University Foundation. He also has interests in cattle and thoroughbred horses.

E-mail bkelly@enquirer.com