After four years of raising funds and pouring cement, the Gleason Family YMCA put the finishing touches on its expansion earlier this month.

"It's a great space. The members love it, and we're very happy that we did it," said Jo-Ann Watson, marketing director for the Gleason Y.

The newest additions are an adult locker room with steam and sauna, a group exercise room, and a multi-purpose room.

The general exercise room is equipped with a rubberized floor, allowing weight training and cycling classes, Watson said. The new multi-purpose room will hold classes for yoga and pilates, as well as for "Livestrong," a program for cancer survivors.

"This allows us to expand our programming and increase the number of classes that we offer," said Watson. "Some of the people that are coming to the Y have been coming for eight years," she went on, explaining that the new space would allow advanced classes for longtime members and beginner classes for new members.

The new adult locker room will be exclusively for adults, while the existing locker rooms will be used for both youth and adults, Watson said.

"It just makes it more age-appropriate," Watson said. You wouldn't want children using steam and sauna."

Fundraising for the expansion started in 2008. When the economy suffered a downturn in 2009, it was difficult to raise funds, Watson said. YMCA staff members kept up their efforts, however, and in 2009, the gym was doubled in size and an elevated track was added. In 2010, the outdoor swimming pool was built.

A "challenge grant" from the Penzance Foundation in April of 2011 helped give the Gleason Y the extra push needed to complete the new locker and exercise rooms. The foundation agreed to match dollar-for-dollar all donations up to $400,000, Watson said.

"It was a huge impact, because it meant that every gift was doubled in size," said Watson.

The new facilities were all part of the original vision of Dr. Charles "Sherm" Gleason, a Wareham pediatrician who was the driving force for bringing the Y to Wareham. He passed away in March, 2011, but was able to see some of the expansion take place.

"Knowing his vision was really the driving force for us to go and make moves in a difficult economy," Prisco said. "It did take longer than expected, but we're thrilled we were able to accomplish it."

Gleason was particularly fond of the outdoor swimming pool, Watson said. Gleason believed that though the town had 54 miles of coastline, there were was not enough public access to beaches, Watson said.

"That was one of his pride and joys, to have that outdoor swimming pool built," said Watson.

The Gleason Y opened up its doors in 2004. The original building was intended to serve approximately 5,000 people.

The Y now has approximately 8,200 members, and the expansion helps accommodate all the members, Watson said.

The total expansion cost approximately $4.2 million, Watson said.

If the membership keeps growing, will the Y continue to expand?

"I think at this point we're going to take a breather," Watson said. "We've got to give our donors a break."