The La Jolla YMCA is opening the door for a community leader to secure the naming rights to a new state-of-the-art gymnasium set to open this summer.
The naming rights will be awarded as recognition for a $650,000 contribution to the current La Jolla YMCA New Century Capital Campaign for facility improvements and expansion. To date, the La Jolla YMCA has raised just over $4.7 million toward its campaign goal of $5.1 million.
“We are now turning to our community to support us with the remaining necessary funds. It will be my honor to permanently and prominently display the naming recognition for this important community project,” said Sam Wurtzbacher, executive director of the La Jolla YMCA.
The new 8,400-square-foot gymnasium will serve more than 6,000 community members of all ages each year. The programs are designed to meet the growing demands of the community, primarily in youth and adult sports as well as health and fitness programs.
There are currently five important and prominent naming opportunities ranging from $25,000 to the $650,000 naming of the gymnasium.
“We have had a great response to our need for naming sponsorship from the leaders in our community, including Steve Quinn and Pamela Bellamy, Marion So, Garden Communities, the family of William Garth Jr., and the Bowman family,” Wurtzbacher said.
Although the La Jolla YMCA is strongly focused on securing additional naming sponsors, donations of all sizes are welcome.
Krista Bartlett, YMCA director of membership and marketing, said the name will be displayed on permanent building signage as well as recognized in all information about the facility.
“The new gymnasium is scheduled to be open for use this July,” Bartlett said. “It will increase capacity for our most popular programs that are currently unable to meet the community demands due to lack of space. These programs include adult sports leagues, youth sports leagues, sports clinics, peewee sports and after-school programs. It will also allow us to convert the existing gymnasium to a full-time gymnastics center.
"This will open up time and space that will allow us to serve all of the families who are currently on our waiting list for the gymnastics programs. In addition, it will provide space for fitness programs, including senior fitness classes, nutrition workshops, and more.”
Bartlett went on to say that the idea for the new gymnasium came about due to lack of gymnasium space for sports and activities throughout San Diego County and the immediate surrounding communities.
“We built this project into our strategic plan to serve our community better by meeting the need for space and programs,” Bartlett said. “The community has expressed a strong desire to have the new gymnasium built. In the mid-’90s our board conducted a professional feasibility study to determine if this was a true need in the community. At that time, individuals from the community identified that additional gymnasium space was something they would like the YMCA to provide for the community in the near future.”
Bartlett said the YMCA has also worked with the neighboring community to make sure everyone is satisfied with the final product.
“In addition to the thought that was dedicated to making this a great facility for our members, participants and community at large, many considerations have been taken to meet the needs and desires of our immediate neighbors,” Bartlett remarked. “Community members requested a low-profile building. In being sensitive to our community, we have made an additional investment to construct a sunken gymnasium that will easily blend with our current surroundings.”
The children who will benefit from the new gymnasium appear happy too.
A 10-year-old named Sophie said, “I think just the thought of getting a new gym makes me feel good.”
Steve Quinn, along with Pam Bellamy, naming sponsors for the new member lounge and gathering place, said he was honored to contribute to the new gymnasium.
“We feel privileged to align ourselves with such an outstanding organization. It is my hope that our investment will inspire others to step forward and make a commitment as well. The La Jolla YMCA is an invaluable asset to our community ” making a positive impact on me personally, my family and thousands of other people who use the YMCA resources for various reasons. I am happy to give back and I hope others will do the same,” Quinn said.
Anyone interested in supporting the campaign can contact Wurtzbacher at (858) 453-3483 ext. 116.