A new sense of community

Most bedroom communities aren’t really “communities” at all. Beyond acquaintances made in individual neighborhoods, or through limited school or church activities, most human interaction is brief and superficial. There are few places for people to gather and build a sense of community.

That’s certainly been the case in the Silver Firs area, that vast expanse of housing developments southeast of Everett. But that’s changing, thanks to a modern gathering place that people of all ages are embracing — the newly expanded and modernized Mill Creek Family YMCA.

(It’s actually well east of Mill Creek … the marketing gurus apparently thought “Southeast Family YMCA” lacked a certain sizzle.)

An $8.3 million addition and renovation is nearly complete, and membership has exploded — more than doubling since December, from about 2,000 to 5,000. That number is anticipated to reach 10,000 by the end of the year, said Scott Sadler, vice president and chief development officer of the YMCA of Snohomish County.

“Renovation” and “expansion” understate what has taken place. It’s essentially a brand new facility. The original building, a homeowners association clubhouse donated to the YMCA in 1988, was completely redone (it houses modern cardio and weight equipment now), and the entire facility has more than doubled in size.

It includes a new indoor pool, complete with spa and water slide. Demand for a new pool was clear, but has exceeded all expectations, said Kyla Smith, the branch’s executive director. She expected 350 kids would sign up for the first session of swim lessons; 620 did.

Plenty of adults, including seniors, are already using the pool, too.

The pool is visible from the new lobby, a large and welcoming space complete with fireplace and coffee station. Community meeting spaces are situated throughout the facility, which also includes two areas where parents can leave their kids while working out (the one for kids 4-10 is appropriately dubbed the “Adventure Zone”) and a teen/youth center with computers, a pool/ping pong table and Wii games.

Seniors are a big focus — an exercise class in the gym this week drew more than 50 older but energized men and women. A courtyard at the center of the facility offers another gathering space, complete with picnic tables.

And like other Y’s in Snohomish County, the Mill Creek branch offers child-care services at several convenient satellite facilities.

It’s a facility designed with community building in mind, creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect in meaningful ways. Like the Y branches in Everett, Marysville, Monroe and Mukilteo, it’s an impressive example of a community making a wise investment in itself.

The Mill Creek Family YMCA is at 13723 Puget Park Drive. For information, call the branch at 425-337-0123 or visit the YMCA of Snohomish County’s Web site, www.ymca-snoco.org.

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