Mill Creek YMCA now has twice the room to play

EVERETT — Albert Sanchez is impressed.

He has more room to work out in an expanded and renovated Mill Creek Family YMCA.

“They did a great job of making it bigger but still keeping the close-knit, family feeling,” he said Monday.

That close-knit feeling’s been a hallmark of the YMCA since it acquired a homeowners association clubhouse for a $1 donation in 1988.

The $8.5 million addition and renovation started in July at the building, which sits at 13723 Puget Park Drive in unincorporated Everett.

The project more than doubled its size to 42,000 square feet. Most of the work was completed last month.

About 2,000 people belonged to the YMCA before the renovation. That number is anticipated to jump to about 10,000 this year, said Scott Washburn, president and CEO of the YMCA of Snohomish County.

“The early interest has been significant,” he said.

The YMCA draws members from as far away Snohomish, Bothell, Mill Creek and Everett. It provides one of the few indoor swimming pools in the area. The closest pool is at the Mill Creek Country Club.

Market research helped YMCA officials decide to also rename the center, which had been known as the Southeast Family YMCA.

“It’s really a more descriptive name,” Washburn said.

More than 500 children were registered last week for swimming classes in the new indoor pool. It replaces the original outdoor pool that was shut down in 2005 because of mechanical problems.

Added features include a new lobby with a fireplace, cardiovascular center and weight room, updated teen and youth center, new locker rooms, a multipurpose room and outdoor courtyard.

“We’ve probably hired about 50 new staff in the past four months,” executive director Kyla Smith said.

As she exercised in the new, upstairs cardio and weight room, member Katie Thielman, 35, said it helps to have more space.

“I love it,” she said. “Having the big aerobics room is nice.”

The YMCA of Snohomish County operates four other centers in Mukilteo, Marysville, Monroe and Everett.

Oscar Halpert: 425-339-3429, ohalpert@heraldnet.com.

Take a tour

A grand opening for the Mill Creek Family YMCA, 13723 Puget Park Drive, Everett, is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday. For more information, call 425-337-0123 or visit www.ymca-snoco.org/millcreek.

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