MONROE – The new $11 million YMCA center is set to open on Sept. 1 with a much-needed swimming pool.
“Many people are looking forward to it,” City Councilman Tony Balk said Tuesday.
The construction of the 46,000-square-foot center has proceeded on schedule, said Sally King, membership marketing director of the Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA. The new center on Fryelands Boulevard in the city’s western end will provide various activities, including fitness and aquatic programs for people of all ages.
Monroe has supported building the new facility. Currently, the city has no public swimming pools.
The YMCA has raised $11 million for the new center, which is expected to serve more than 13,000 people annually, King said. Major contributions included $1 million from the state, $450,000 from the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation, and $1.9 million from the city of Monroe, she said.
In exchange, the city has secured time slots in which city residents can swim, hang out and exercise free at the new Y over the next 15 years, Balk said. For instance, families who live in the city are allowed to swim free in the pool from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
“Overall, it’s a good deal,” Balk said.
The YMCA is now waiving 75 percent of the joining fee to increase the center’s inaugural membership, King said.
More than 300 people have bought bricks for the pathway to the front door, King said. Those bricks will be personalized with family and business names, she said.
“We’ve been very pleased with the response,” she said.
YMCA to open
The new YMCA center is set to open Sept. 1 in Monroe. For information on membership and services, call 360-805-1879 or go to www.YMCA-Snoco.org/ Monroe.
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