A tremendous amount of interest has been shown in the vacant Atmore Area YMCA executive director’s position that became open last month.

Twenty-two applications have been received for the position, which a selection committee will soon siphon through to determine the candidates they would like to interview.

Allen Walston, president for the Atmore Area YMCA Board of Directors, said he was surprised by the amount of applications that have been received.

“I’m excited about the number of applicants that are interested in the position,” Walston said. “I wasn’t expecting that many, so it kind of came as a surprise.”

The application process, which is now over, will phase into a selection process that a five-person committee will handle.

Walston said the members of the committee are current members of the YMCA board.

“We have a committee that will meet beginning next week to review the applications,” Walston said. “The committee consists of five people on the board that I selected.”

Once the committee is in session, those involved will give each application a good look to see what candidates are worthy of an interview.

Walston said the committee will then move to interviews and find the best choice for recommendation.

“Our committee will review applications then begin interviewing candidates and ultimately bring a recommendation before the Board of Directors,” Walston said. “At this time, no set date has been decided on for interviews, but they will probably begin in the next two or three weeks.”

The ultimate goal for the Board of Directors and the selection committee is to find the best person capable of being executive director.

Walston said that whoever is chosen will be the face of the Atmore Area YMCA.

“We want to find a good fit for the Y,” Walston said. “We want someone who will be the face of the Y and who will get out in the community to help earn more support for the Y.”