BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.- The Bonita Springs YMCA is getting a second chance at serving the community. The Y in Bonita closed its doors last May, citing critical funding issues. Help from another YMCA organization may bring it back to life.

Now, the vacant building is scheduled to be re-opened sometime in the next two months.

The Bonita Y advisory board has been working for months behind the scenes to get this 24,000 square-foot building back open for the community. The South County Family YMCA in Venice will take the reigns from the YMCA of the Palms. Details of the transfer deal have not been finalized, but there is a letter of intent to evaluate the building and financing.

The $7 million facility was closed in the face of roughly $1.6 million of debt and a steady decline in membership. Under the new partnership with the South County Y, the Bonita Springs YMCA will put a stronger emphasis on bringing in new members by teaming up with churches, clubs and businesses to offer programs.

"We'll have the resources to do more proactive marketing and community outreach. That will be the key to opening the facility successfully," said Dennis Churchhill of the YMCA advisory board.

The YMCA will need about $2,500 members to keep it sustainable. At this time, new membership rates have not been released.