Trudy Dahl and Pat Capps walked side by side on treadmills at the Haselwood Family YMCA shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday, just minutes after the official opening.

“We’ve been looking forward to this,” said Dahl, 67, of Bremerton, as her friend and neighbor, Capps, played with the instruments on the high tech treadmill.

As they familiarized themselves with the new treadmills — they not only checked their pace but the temperature outside — the women said they plan to come to the ‘Y’ at least three times a week to use the cardio machines and take water aerobics classes. With nothing else in the area that provides such variety of equipment and classes, Dahl and Capps — who became members in December — couldn’t wait any longer.

The Haselwood Family YMCA officially opened its doors Wednesday after a year of construction. And after a year of waiting for the 85,500-foot, $22 million facility to open, many residents couldn’t wait. They came ready with their running shoes, swim gear and yoga mats.

Many Central Kitsap residents including Bonnie Burmaster, of Silverdale, said the ‘Y’ had been a long time coming.

“I was born and raised here, so this is a big deal,” Burmaster, 64, said. “There has been nothing for kids or adults to do. The kids finally have a place to come to.”

Burmaster, who retired as Olympic Aquatic Club’s swim coach, plans to volunteer at the pool at the ‘Y’ aside from using the facility for her own exercise. The Silverdale ‘Y’ has a six-lane lap pool — 25 yards long — in addition to the lazy river, instructional warm water pool and water slide.

“You walk in and it makes you smile,” Burmaster said.

The fun feeling reached through the entire building on NW Randall Way.

“It’s all excitement. We’re so thrilled to see people here ready to go,” said Haselwood Family YMCA Executive Director Geoff Ball. “It’s like being a new father.”

Lee Harkins, 68, of Silverdale came to the facility to try out one of the yoga classes. Not only was it the first yoga class at the Haselwood Family ‘Y,’ but it was Harkins’ first shot at yoga as well. With a history of lower back pain, he figured he would give it a try. Not too far from where he was getting ready for yoga, a Zumba class underway in one of the four multi-purpose rooms.

“I have belonged to a lot of clubs in the past. I think this one will work out well because there’s a lot of things,” Harkins said, not only referring to the different variety of classes but also to the amenities at the facility in general. Hew plans to use the cardio equipment as well as take classes.

Ron and Nadean Ross, who donated the $1 million that kick-started the campaign for the new Silverdale ‘Y’ were happy to see everything come together.

“It just seems like it came up over night — ready for the community,” Nadean Ross said.

On the main floor of the facility, Stan Urbas, of Seabeck, was doing a few reps of leg lifts. He and his wife joined the ‘Y’ in December and as many of the members who joined before the opening, was glad that opening day had finally arrived.

“We’ve been ready for it to open,” he said.