After nearly 50 years in business, Peninsula Family YMCA is about to undergo a major overhaul.
All that’s needed now is the final $350,000 of an $8 million ongoing fundraising campaign.
Regarding the reasons for the update, Peninsula YMCA associate director Jason Milosh said it’s a combination of things. 
“We’re in a 50-year-old building,” Milosh said. “We’re looking at a basic renovation of the main building we’re in containing lockers, some administrative space and a small multi-purpose room. We want to renew that space.”
The existing building is to be renamed the Ryan Family YMCA. Ryan came to San Diego in 1922 and made an immeasurable impact on the aviation industry. He and his wife Gladys also created the Ryan Family Charitable Foundation supporting over 120 charities. 
The new Ryan Family YMCA will include: a 22,000-square-foot facility with expanded parking; a Child Discovery Center and outdoor play space; fitness studios; modern locker rooms and amenities; an enrichment program and event space; and a 3,200-square-foot rooftop deck.
Milosh said the improved Peninsula facility will really be special.
“We’re going to have a rooftop deck that overlooks the canyon,” he said. “We’re really excited about that, both aesthetically and operationally.”
Of fundraising for the renewal, Milosh said, “We’ve actually  been in a capital campaign, in a silent phase, for the last number of years.”
Established in 1970, the Peninsula Y added a swimming pool fitness center and changing rooms in 1977. In 1987, a soccer arena was constructed. That was followed in 2005 with construction of a family picnic area next to the pool. In 2011, the Haas Family Gymnasium and Wellness Center opened for sports and exercise.
Peninsula YMCA released statistics showing 5,790 members are served between the ages of 5 months and 96 years representing diverse cultural backgrounds. One in 11 Peninsula households have a connection to the Y, which has a staff of 140 mostly young adults.
Courtney Bylund Pendleton of YMCA Public Relations and Communications talked about the bigger picture, of which the Peninsula’s upcoming improvements are a part.
“The YMCA’s vision is about serving more people, doubling our impact in the community,” she said. “The Peninsula’s new facilities, and renovation of existing facilities, is certainly a huge complement to that.” 
Milosh discussed the timelines, and difficulties, involved in the renovation project. 
“We’re planning on starting in early 2020,” he said. “It will be a 12- to 18-month project.”
“One of the challenges of doing a project like this, is to maintain operations while you’re going about doing improvements,” said Milosh adding, “It can get a little tricky.”
Concluded Milosh, “We’re really excited about doing an improvement project like this that comes around about every 50 years. “Hopefully, it is going to serve the needs of the community for the next 50 years.”
The Peninsula is one of 18 YMCA locations across San Diego County.