Y-M-C-A! It’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A… Yes, The Village People’s song can again blare from the cars pulling into the parking lot of the new spruced-up YMCA on Cliffridge Avenue. The song still rings true, especially now that the Y has turned itself into La Jolla’s premier aquatic center. The state-of-the-art facility now features an eight-lane lap pool with cool water next to the activity pool with warm water. The lap pool even has a rock climbing wall sprouting out of it, although this is made of plastic and features plastic colorful “rocks” to climb. And when you’ve had enough, there’s a brand new spa and plenty of room to lounge around and relax. But for the kids, perhaps the coolest thing of all is the outdoor splash pad with a colorful array of water-spraying fountains dotted throughout the area. A major favorite at the grand opening celebration was the “wave,” which has water flowing over it forming the forever perfect wave. Also of great interest was the banana tree that periodically pours out water to the joy of squealing kids. Aw, the fruits of the jungle are creating great joy at the Y’s splashy kid’s area of pure entertainment. “This is so neat… yea, the banana’s come around and you don’t know when it’s (water) going to fall on you,” explained Amber Strandson. Asked if the unpredictable water falling down was a bit scary she answered, “No! It’s fun, it’s like a game” and scurried back under the tree. Quite a few notable supporters and staff of the Y were there for the Ann Woolley Aquatic Center grand opening including Marion So. “The Y can accommodate many more members doing different things at the same time such as swimming in the colder pool and doing water aerobics or taking swimming lessons in the warmer pool. Also, children just love the splash playground and the adults enjoy the big jacuzzi. The whole area is very inviting which is a huge difference from the old pool,” said So, who has been a Y member for more than 43 years, shared. She also said she owes her good health to the Y and that “it’s a very friendly and welcoming place.. feels like a family away from home.” The celebration also brought out musicians, The Jackstraws, and began with a heart-felt speech from La Jolla YMCA board advisory chair, Annie So. She said she is thrilled with the new pool facility. It also featured a speech from La Jolla YMCA donor and long-time friend of the Y, Buzz Woolley. Toward the end of the celebration guests were treated to a song by the Y’s pre-K swimming class. Suited up in their bathing gear and blue YMCA swimming caps, the audience was thrilled to watch the kids create a darling singing introduction to what promises to be many years of swimming-fun. The closing remarks and ribbon cutting ceremony were certainly the icing on the swimming-cake. Yes, there was an actual cake; it was prone to melting, but was there nonetheless. The Y staff was all-smiles as they helped answer questions and watch the children splash around. “We’re very excited and thankful.  The Y staff has done a wonderful job in keeping the Y open while building the pool and the other renovations,” observed So. Betsy Amirouche said she loved the new facilities and had been using the Y for years, sometimes spending two hours a day in the facility. Once guests moved over to the new pool facilities, a special performance by a group of synchronized lady-swimmers called The Synchronettes offered a show. It was a clever way to introduce the sparkling new lap-pool and helped finalize the celebration. From there, guests enjoyed refreshments or snapped photos of their kids running throughout the splash pad. Remember the mission of the YMCA for it tells the story of an organization that has been around for decades and has been forefront in American society. Their mission reads: “The YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of the spirt, mind and body.”