The West Seattle YMCA, serving the community since 1921 is looking to expand both its current building and membership. They announced on Sept. 8 that the organization is launching an $11 million capital project to expand and renovate its current facility.

The 47,000-square-foot building will be 50 percent bigger than its current facility and will include:
- Twice the space dedicated to cardio, strength and fitness
- A Healthy Living Kitchen to host new nutrition and healthy eating programs
- An Adventure Zone play space for kids to be active while parents exercise
- A room dedicated entirely to programs and activities for tweens in 3rd-7th grades
- Family changing rooms for privacy when assisting family members
- A community meeting room where adults, teens and groups can meet
- Better accessibility
- Underground car and bicycle parking with increased capacity

A branch of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, the West Seattle YMCA is expected to serve 3,500 more people annually both through the new facility and at program sites, an increase of 20 percent.

The revised and expanded Y will face south onto Snoqualmie Street instead of east on 36th SW as it does now.

Regional Executive Josh Sutton said, "As part of the Triangle Plan, the city said in this area that Snoqualmie would be a great street for having festivals from time to time. It could designated as a 'festival street' meaning you could close it down and have a Healthy Kids Day event there for example."

Sutton expects they will be "20% busier when we're done and we're going to add a third more parking." That parking on the east side will be underground.

Extensive "daylighting" in the new structure will bring in natural light meaning the pool, exercise machine and free weight areas will all get more natural light.

One area in the current building that will see changes is the Family area which now occupies a cramped space. To gain area, the 2 racquet ball courts, each 800 sq. feet will be taken over. The family changing rooms are an important upgrade too Sutton emphasized since now, they must change in temporary cabanas.

Other community impacts include more specialized fitness programs for people living with chronic illnesses related to obesity and other diseases, more nutrition education, more dedicated space for age-appropriate activities for youth and more free and subsidized memberships to support youth and families.

Sutton said that the organization would likely add a few jobs to accommodate the expanded facility. Currently the Y employs between 40 to 50 people in both the West Seattle and Fauntleroy locations but including part time employees, that number is closer to 200.

Funds for the project will come from an $11 million capital campaign. $5.5 million will need to be raised in the West Seattle community, with the remaining funds raised by the YMCA of Greater Seattle. $2.6 million has already been secured by the West Seattle YMCA through pledges from individuals and businesses.

“Every dollar raised in West Seattle will be matched by the YMCA of Greater Seattle,” said Mark Tabbutt, Chair of the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater Seattle. “We are excited to support the local volunteers and donors who make this project possible.”

The capital campaign will be co-chaired by local residents Steve Sundquist and Dino Vasquez.

“As we look at the anticipated growth of West Seattle over the next 10 years, no other organization is better matched to help kids, adults and families meet the challenges facing our community,” said Steve Sundquist, West Seattle YMCA Capital Campaign Co-Chair. “An expanded West Seattle YMCA will have a tremendous impact on helping people in West Seattle to be more active and eat healthier, and it will help thousands of kids each year reach their full potential.”

This isn't the end of potential expansion Sutton explained. The design by Miller Hayashi Architects LLC is aimed at permitting future growth too. "I think this design gets us 15 to 20 year of service to the community," said Sutton, "but it isn't about just this building. It's about strengthening this hub so we can go out and do more on the spokes," referring to the YMCA's programs in schools and the Fauntleroy location.

"Nucor Steel Seattle is proud to be a partner in the revitalization of the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA facility,” said Matt Lyons, General Manager and Vice President of Nucor Steel Seattle. “Everyone knows that that the YMCA is an important community asset at the center of a vibrant, healthy place to live. As our West Seattle community continues to grow and change, the new West Seattle & Fauntleroy facility will be there to help so many more kids, families, and seniors enjoy the many enriching programs the YMCA has to offer.”

The expanded and remodeled building will feature an open floor plan and natural light. Other Miller Hayashi recent West Seattle design projects include the High Point Library and Community Health Center, Seattle Fire Department Station 37 on 35th Ave. S.W. and the renovated Fairmont Park Elementary School. Lease Crutcher Lewis, who built the original West Seattle YMCA in 1984, is the contractor.

"The West Seattle Y is a magnet within the West Seattle community," said Brad Miller, principal at Miller Hayashi.

"Renewal of the Y will reinforce this community bond by dramatically improving services with a transparent addition that will open up the solid existing structure and enliven the surrounding streetscapes by day and by night. The new site design creates a pedestrian-friendly, landscaped street edge on all sides to create an urban centerpiece for the rapidly developing Triangle neighborhood."

Construction is expected to begin summer 2015 as fundraising benchmarks are met. The West Seattle YMCA will remain open to its members during construction. The newly expanded West Seattle YMCA is expected to open in mid-2016.

The Y is holding three public meetings to answer questions and solicit feedback about the project:
- Sunday, Sept. 14, from 2-3 p.m. at Studio 5
- Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 6-7 p.m. at Studio 5
- Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 7-8 a.m. at Studio 5

The Y’s Studio 5 is located at 4518 S.W. Fauntleroy Way.

They expect to stay open during the construction process, though they may close for a week or two just to expedite construction, at some point during the process.

"The reason why the Y is still around is that we've continued to evolve to meet the community needs," said Sutton. " Whether it's been adding physical fitness, or adding child care, or different programs and services, that's what we've always been about. Through the evolution we continue to be relevant and vibrant in the community."

Learn more about the expansion plans here:
http://www.seattleymca.org/Locations/the-expanded-west-seattle-ymca/Pag…

If you'd like to donate and help them reach their goal visit this page:
http://www.seattleymca.org/Locations/the-expanded-west-seattle-ymca/get…