STANWOOD — The YMCA of Snohomish County is breaking ground this weekend on its newest center, a $22 million, two-story building that is going up where the former Resilience Fitness just was torn down.
The nonprofit has been looking to build a facility in Stanwood since 2010. There has been a local YMCA office in town since 2012 offering programs like summer meals, camps and health classes.
The new center will open up more options and create a gathering place, Stanwood-Camano YMCA Director Dawne Wentworth said.
A ground-breaking celebration with family activities, free food and live music is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the construction site, 7213 267th Street NW. People can see the design of the new YMCA, which includes an aquatic center with two pools and a hot tub, a gym and separate weight room, an instructional kitchen and activity rooms.
The center is scheduled to open by fall 2016. Memberships are expected to go on sale in February or March of next year. More information on perks and prices should be available later this year.
“It’ll be a resource to pretty much every segment of the community,” Wentworth said.
The aquatic center can be used for swim team meets, the community room for birthday parties, and the kitchen for cooking lessons, she said. The YMCA also is planning free swims for people who live in Stanwood and is taking over leadership of a sports league at Heritage Park in return for the Stanwood City Council waiving $50,000 in permitting fees.
The cost of the new building originally was estimated at $18 million, but with final designs finished, that’s gone up to about $22 million, Wentworth said. The YMCA is financing $6 million, with fundraising and grants making up the difference.
While guests enjoy hotdogs, brats and chocolate “dirt” cake Saturday afternoon, YMCA leaders will be gearing up for their next fundraising push.
So far, they’ve focused on cornerstone contributors who could donate large sums. They’ve raised a little more than $9 million.
Now, the organization is broadening the campaign.
“We’re opening up to everyone,” Wentworth said. “We have a kid who wants to do a car wash, and that’s totally fine.”
Local philanthropist Floyd Jones has offered to match any new pledge of $10,000 or more dollar-for-dollar as long as it’s made by June 30.
The ground-breaking event is free. Overflow parking is available at Port Susan Middle School, 7506 267th Place NW.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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