Anderson Munger YMCA nears finish line
THE TWO-STORY 30,000 square foot facility will feature two swimming pools.
April 2014 is the target date for the new Anderson Munger Family YMCA at Third St. and Oxford Ave. to open.
“This is a project that has been in the works for 20 years!” proclaims Kitty Gordillo, the director of development for the Hollywood Wilshire YMCA.
After securing the property in a land-swap with Los Angeles Unified School District, the project kicked off in 2007 with a fundraising drive and an initial gift of $5 million from Charles and Nancy Munger, whose children grew up participating in programs at the Wilshire YMCA.
Then, the recession hit. As often happens when money is an issue, plans changed and more fundraising was in order. First, the YMCA had to secure its $6 million in funds from the Community Redevelopment Agency, which was suddenly in jeopardy due to the agency being fazed out because of state budgetary issues.
While they waited to secure funding for the project, the YMCA staff continued its community outreach and set up trailers for after-school programs, a teen center and a summer day camp.
Now, as the $23.5 million facility readies to open its doors next spring, the details of the space are becoming clear.
The two-story, 30,000 square foot facility will feature two swimming pools (one for lap swimming and another warm water pool for lessons and water aerobic classes), a whirlpool and sauna.
Community and program rooms for educational, exercise, dance and tae kwon do classes will be available, as well as a fitness area for cardio and strength training, a child watch room, locker rooms, member lounge and administrative offices.
The parking structure, a four-story building that will accommodate 160 vehicles, will feature a fourth-story walking track and basketball court.
Artwork will be featured inside the lobby and outside in the courtyard area.
Although staffing has just started, the YMCA is currently accepting charter memberships from patrons.
For more information, go to www.ymcala.org/am.
By Sondi Sepenuk
Category: News
