On Thursday, Jan. 18, the Dan McKinney Family YMCA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the final completion of renovations to the center. A “grand opening” also followed on Jan. 22, where the public was treated to a free open house. Although the recreation center has been technically open to the public since August, the weekend saw the fourth and final phase of the $21 million expansion and renovation project. The now 59,000-square-foot facility has been serving the La Jolla Community since 1964. Newly renovated areas for preschool, after-school childcare and youth classes include:
– Brand new Adventure Center for youth featuring a three-story play structure and slides;
– A 9,000-square-foot Beyster Family Wellness Center, featuring sweeping views of the La Jolla coastline; – So Family Studios for group exercise classes and other programming;
– New women’s, men’s and family locker rooms; – An expansive child watch facility and multi-functional community space; – New steam room and sauna, massage room, outdoor wellness terrace, and patio, as well as café and teaching kitchen; – The Ann Woolley Aquatic Center featuring two pools including a cool water, eight-lane lap pool and a warm-water activity pool, therapeutic spa, splash pad for youth water play and an outdoor fitness playground (opened August 2016).
During construction, the McKinney Family YMCA was renting space from a local church to support some of their after-school programs. Now that construction is completed, those children can now return to the YMCA. Residents may have also noted that during renovations, the aquatic center was closed for some time. Jan. 22 marked its grand reopening as well. With the new facilities will come more after-school enrichment programs, as well as swimming classes.
Administrative offices also saw a major upgrade as part of the final phase. “The overall response has been awesome,” said Sue Ball, district executive for the La Jolla YMCA. Ball, a Bird Rock resident, added, “We’ve been working the last four years, but we’ve finally hit the finish line. People have been visiting our facility from other YMCAs across the country, and they have been commenting on how it is one of the prettiest, cleanest, and most spacious locations they’ve seen.” While the four-year renovation and construction project may seem like a daunting project, often replete with unforeseen hurdles, Ball assured that that was definitely not the case.
“We had great contractors, architects, and a wonderful design team,” said Ball. “Although we spent a year on design prior to applying for permits, we went in with 80 percent of the project funded. While there were times that funding was in question, we opened on time and within our budget.” For more information, visit ymca.org/locations/dan-mckinney-family-ymca, or call 858-453-3483.