The Lakeland Family YMCA located at 3620 Cleveland Heights Boulevard has embarked on a capital campaign to raise money for a major construction project that will totally transform the facility. The YMCA of West Central Florida has been a cornerstone for youth development and healthy living since 1965. The current facility has served the community well for almost 60 years, but it is time for a facelift.
The vision for a new and improved facility includes five key components as part of a construction project that will take place in phases over the next four years. The total cost for construction is estimated to be $21 million and includes:
- A new wellness complex with updated equipment and expanded facilities for popular group classes.
- A 40,000 square foot two-story field house with two basketball courts, one indoor turf field, and elevated indoor track.
- Expanded childcare building with improved outdoor space, and a much needed 4,000 square foot addition to meet the growing demand for child services.
- Rehabilitation work for current YMCA buildings that need major infrastructure improvements like plumbing, HVAC, flooring, lighting, and roof work.
- Parking improvements to meet the growing facility demand. This significant addition will increase parking by 120 spaces and provide safe access to the YMCA.
Elaine Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of the Lakeland Family YMCA said, “We are very excited to share the vision of a newly improved facility and the capital improvement campaign will allow us to update and construct a more modern, state-of-the-art complex to better serve the community. At this time, we are pleased to share with the community that due to a generous gift from Bob Adams and his family, the new facility once constructed will be called the Bob Adams Family Community YMCA and the new field house will be named the George Jenkins Field House because of the continued charitable support received from the George Jenkins Foundation. We are getting close to meeting our fundraising goals with the help from wonderful community benefactors who understand the important role the YMCA plays in youth development and healthy living. We could not move forward without the generous support from those that share our same vision and commitment to the community.”
Once approved and permitting is in place, phase one of the project is slated to begin in September with the construction of a new 150 space parking lot at an estimated cost of $2.1 million. This will pave the way for phase two of the main campus construction project with a tentative March 2024 start date and includes the fieldhouse and wellness complex at an estimated cost of $13.3 million. Phase three of the project concentrates on the renovation of the main building at an estimated cost of $3.4 million and is tentatively scheduled to start in 2025. The renovation to the current Childcare Building is slated for a 2024 start date at an estimated cost of $2.4 million.
Benjamin LeFrancois, Chairman of the Board for the Lakeland Family YMCA said, “The YMCA is a very important community partner and does so much more than health and wellness programming. As a leading nonprofit in the country, the YMCA has the ability to move communities forward. At the Lakeland Y, we continue to serve over 900 children each month through various youth programs and over 1,000 kindergartners received water safety classes through our partnership with the Polk County School Board. These are just a few examples of how we are working to serve our community.”
The YMCA continues to succeed in the mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The Community is invited to help transform the Y today to better serve the community tomorrow. There are many ways for the public to make an impact that will benefit the Lakeland community for generations to come. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information on how to be involved.