West Seattle YMCA announces expansion plan for Triangle HQ

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Starting with an all-staff meeting tonight, the West Seattle YMCA is pulling the wraps off plans for a major expansion project at its headquarters in The Triangle.

The Y (a WSB sponsor) will be officially filing for permits with the city this week, but has been quietly fundraising for a while. Its Board of Managers has a goal of raising half the cost of the $11 million project, with the Greater Seattle Y board raising money for the other half.

“We’re excited!” exclaimed regional executive Josh Sutton, during our conversation about the plan.

(Rendering of the future northwestern corner)

The West Seattle board already is almost halfway to its goal, before expanding the capital campaign more widely across the community – $2.6 million so far.

It’s been long known the Y would have to expand, with 4,200 member households right now and West Seattle’s population continuing to grow. It has had a Building Committee for seven years, Sutton explained. They mulled options such as moving, or buying another building, and then, about two years ago, started to “coalesce around a specific idea” involving expanding right on their current site between 36th and 37th, Snoqualmie and Oregon.

The Y has hired Miller Hayashi Architects, whose most recent West Seattle projects include the expansion at just-reopened Fairmount Park Elementary and the 4-year-old rebuild of Fire Station 37, and contractor Lease Crutcher Lewis (which built the facility in 1984).

After about five months of work on pricing and plans, “we’ve pretty much finished the schematic phase, but there’s a lot to be decided, still,” Sutton said.

Here are the basics:

*The expansion will be accomplished WITHOUT any closure of the facility: “We’ll stay open throughout, though there may be interruptions of some services”

*It’ll add 50 percent more space – 32,000 square feet now, 47,000 square feet when finished

*The expanded building will face SW Snoqualmie (shown in the rendering atop this story), designated as a “festival street” in the West Seattle Triangle Plan process, and therefore a possible venue for occasional events; the project itself was planned to be in alignment with the overall Triangle plan

*A “healthy cooking” kitchen will be a major new feature, “programmed with nutrition classes” that they haven’t had a space to handle before (and if fees are involved, there will be subsidizing for those eligible) as well as demonstrations

*Family changing rooms will be added, linked to the pool deck

*The pool itself isn’t targeted for major work, but “some daylighting” is on the drawing board, according to Sutton, to remedy the not-so-brightly-lit boxiness of the building’s original 1984 design

*The fitness space will more than double, and will enable the repurposing of some other spaces

*A space will be designated specifically for “tweens,” youth who wind up at loose ends between the services and spaces available for children and for teenagers.

*A 1,000-square-foot community-meeting room will be added (fronting SW Snoqualmie): “The Triangle keeps growing, and people need places to meet; the Y has historically been a place for people to convene.”

*Its small child-care building will be torn down and the front parking lot will be torn down; end result will still be more parking, because of new underground spaces

*A small addition on the northwest corner will replace the racquetball courts,

Also part of the project, some work outside the building, such as finishing the sidewalk on Oregon (a street that will become a more-important connector because of the hillclimb planned on the site of the 4435 35th SW development that’s now under construction). Sutton expects that will be followed by angled parking and city-imposed time limits on what is now a street without them. The street-parking situation after the project is done will be “pretty much a net wash,” he says, some added, some removed, but the Y itself will have 19 more motorized-vehicle spaces (as well as some new underground bicycle parking). That’s a third more parking than they have now, and they expect the facility will be 20 percent busier.

In case you were wondering: No, there won’t be a rate increase to fund any of this; Sutton points out that rates rise every year as part of the Greater Seattle Y’s plan, since membership gets you in to other facilities around the system too. No, this doesn’t involve the Fauntleroy Y – “we’re not trying to consolidate,” Sutton says; the Y has had a presence there since the early ’20s and expects to “continue to do that.” (They’ve made investments in recent years to keep the Fauntleroy facility “up to date and fresh,” in fact, and it continues to be operated with the Triangle facility as one entity.)

Though the Y is a nationally known name, this project is very local – including major donors such as Nucor, which will even be donating some steel that will go into the project.

In all, “This is what the next generation of West Seattle needs,” Sutton said. “Taking the building and updating it – it’s still in good shape, would make no sense to tear it down.” (By the way, this isn’t the Y’s original building; its first one in 1921 was a small building near where Trader Joe’s is now; after a fire there, the Y moved to an old dairy building across the street, where the Franciscan clinic is now.) The work will leave room for future expansion – the ceiling will be high enough that the building could add a second story sometime; for now, it’ll be an “open, light space.”

The Y hopes to break ground next summer, with the project lasting about a year. In the meantime:

WHAT’S NEXT

*The Y expects to file its permit applications on Wednesday

*While the city does accept public comments on projects, this one, Sutton said, will not require Design Review

*Find out more about the project at OurNewY.org, which just went live tonight

*Attend a community meeting at the Y’s “Studio 5” space (4518 Fauntleroy Way SW):
–2-3 pm Sunday, September 14th
–6-7 pm Tuesday, September 16th
–7-8 am Wednesday, September 17th

*If you haven’t received an invitation to donate, and are interested in supporting the project, contact Sutton via the West Seattle Y.

54 Replies to "West Seattle YMCA announces expansion plan for Triangle HQ"

  • Y swimmer September 7, 2014 (7:51 pm)

    Very exciting! Except I’m bummed the pool won’t get any work. It’s too small. Not enough lanes and when there are lanes, they are too narrow.

  • Hillary September 7, 2014 (8:12 pm)

    I agree with Y swimmer, but hallelujah!, it’s waaaay past due anyway!

  • KatieH September 7, 2014 (8:24 pm)

    Yay! I love that Y.

  • Another Y Swimmer September 7, 2014 (8:30 pm)

    Yeah… the pool REALLY needs to be redone in the style of the pools at the newer Y facilities – -having a separate lap pool and activity pool makes so much more sense, for both lap and activity users.

    I’d be sad to see the racquetball courts go. I actually use them (for racquetball!); courts are few and far between. Aren’t they the only ones left in Seattle area YMCAs?

  • KP September 7, 2014 (8:56 pm)

    I fully support the YMCA. However, with this expansion, it’s time for SDOT to step in and prevent left hand turns heading southbound directly from Fauntleroy Way. High density traffic is already horrific trying to navigate thru this area, to also allow ‘free’ left hand turns across 2 lanes of traffic has gone beyond being a nuisance to dangerous.

  • RS September 7, 2014 (8:57 pm)

    Really bummed the pool won’t expand or an addition of a kid pool like the rest of the new Y’s have. For those of us north of the Y, there are very few nearby pools.

  • Me mama September 7, 2014 (8:58 pm)

    So excited to hear this. Here’s hoping the childcare is still offered (as they are tearing down the building?), the gym space stays and that it is as beautiful and secure as the Newcastle location!

  • klynn September 7, 2014 (9:03 pm)

    I’m SO excited to hear this. The childcare is amazing, but they have seriously lacked in quality gym space. I agree with the above comments that the pool should really be updated. I’m glad they are leaving the option to expand to another level in the future, but really it would be nice to do it now.

  • GR September 7, 2014 (9:16 pm)

    Great news! It’s been awesome for our family (especially in February). Looking forward to the expanded services, and more windows.

  • Eric September 7, 2014 (9:25 pm)

    An investment in our West Seattle community, especially one this big, is a great thing! It’s proof that a West Seattle institution, along with the larger portion of our area that it serves, can grow and evolve to continue to meet our needs. Looking forward to our new Y!

  • WSMom September 7, 2014 (9:32 pm)

    I don’t even go to the Y and I was so excited when I saw this (assuming they’d be doing a cool pool) then I saw that they aren’t doing anything to the pool. I’m bummed. Oh well. Hopefully it works for the people that go there. We drive to the Federal Way community center to swim because it’s so awesome.

  • kayo September 7, 2014 (10:00 pm)

    This is long overdue and I am very happy to see this getting underway (wish it was right away). I hope this includes a major upgrade for the existing shower and bathroom facilities beyond just adding real family changing rooms (which are desperately needed). The locker rooms need major updating – working toilet flushers would be great, lol. I also wish they could redo the swimming pool area as we much prefer the split pool option that exists at other Y facilities. I am assuming the preschool/daycare facility will be moving to another Triangle location? That is a very popular preschool and I can’t imagine it will be closing. I hope they get a bigger/nicer space which is also much needed.

  • MacJ September 7, 2014 (10:07 pm)

    No more racquetball? :(

  • Luke September 7, 2014 (10:08 pm)

    When is the LA Fitness center coming? Does anyone know how big that facility will be?

    • WSB September 7, 2014 (10:45 pm)

      MacJ – Yes, that was confirmed during our conversation. Seemed they certainly would rather not have dropped anything and they weren’t taking anyone for granted, but Josh S. said about 100 people use it and they had to balance the needs of the expansion serving thousands with that relatively small group.
      .
      Luke – Neither the developer of that building (Spruce, the former “Hole” site) nor LA Fitness has answered inquiries. Seems to be on schedule for completion early next year. It was 65,000 square feet of retail when it was Whole Foods and Hancock Fabric under previous ownership – now LA Fitness is the only “commercial” in the building and there are more apartments so I suspect it’s somewhat less than that.

  • Brian September 7, 2014 (10:41 pm)

    Too bad they’re not going to make the pool more usable. Hopefully LA Fitness will have a decent pool…

  • Brontosaurus September 7, 2014 (11:10 pm)

    I agree, this is long overdue. I’ve been a member of the West Seattle & Fauntleroy Y since 1997 (with a few breaks). The building (both outside and inside) has hardly changed at all. The only difference is a fresh coat of paint each year. I was at the Matt Griffin Y while the WS Y was closed recently, and noticed that they are already replacing some of their cardio equipment. Even the Fauntleroy Y has new cardio equipment, but not the WS Y. I’ve been wondering why West Seattle doesn’t have a new facility like Matt Griffin and Newcastle. I’m pleased that this is happening but feel it is not enough. The pool and spa area are old and in need of renovation. We need a rec pool too. So glad they are adding family changing -that is desperately needed. I used to take my son swimming there a lot but not anymore. Once he turned 6, we just drove to Matt Griffin instead. 6 and over members of the opposite sex are not allowed in the locker rooms. Well, it’s not safe for a child to be alone in the men’s locker rooms (I would not take that chance). Besides, “children 8 and under must be supervised by an adult.” So, the only option was to ask to enter the pool area via the cardio room and get dressed in the temporary family changing areas right on the pool deck.

  • Charles September 7, 2014 (11:43 pm)

    The pool is the one reason we eventually dropped our Y membership. First off, the mebership was way too expensive for the shabby facilities. The new plans can only mean even higher fees. We started going to Matt Griffin Y in order to take advantage of the warm kids’ activity pool, but we eventually bagged the whole membership in favor of the Rainier Beach Community Center.

    If the expansion committee is listening to this thread, please consider the pool as part of your new plans. If you look at how heavily the family activity pools are used at facilities in the region, you know what a major draw it is for families.

  • lvbebe September 8, 2014 (4:56 am)

    Glad they are expanding and updating the facility as a constant member of gym’s what I pay monthly as a single person seems quite high considering what I am getting – depending on what happens to the monthly rate an updated facility may make me stay as a member vs. joining LA Fitness when they open. I hope the Y is considering expanding hours, open at 4:30/5 M-F, earlier than 10 on Sunday’s, and open holidays similar to larger gyms during this expansion.

  • Ken Grimes September 8, 2014 (6:56 am)

    I am a West Seattle Y Board Member and Facility Committee member, and want to share information for some of the pool questions posted here.

    During the early phases of planning we struggled with finding good options for a larger aquatics area at the West Seattle Y location. We know the pool is a high draw for members and hoped to include even more in this project.

    It ultimately comes down to dollars and space. The cost of including an expanded pool was exponentially higher than any local fundraising tested. It would also result in significant loss of existing member parking.

    Both of these pushed us to focus on other high priority areas for the project, (fitness and family are two). I’m excited about all that this Expansion offers for our community.

    We’ll keep looking throughout the project for details that can improve our existing pool, hot areas and locker rooms. Some have been noted here.

    I hope you’ll join the Y’s upcoming community meetings so we can connect directly.

    Ken

  • Lox September 8, 2014 (8:02 am)

    I’m thrilled about this news! And appreciate the comment by Ken Grimes, noting that they would take into consideration what current members are saying about the pool/family changing situation and how they may be able to make some adjustments. I too wish for a new pool space, but I’m happy with what we can get for now. Thanks YMCA!

  • Bmc September 8, 2014 (8:04 am)

    Enjoy this Y with my 2 kids and spouse but yeah, the dues close to $125 seem high? AND they seem to increase ~8% a year. Not sure why – advertising costs? Overhead? Too many sliding scale memberships offered? I hope that the family swim times can be increased some how. We’ve gone to Matt Griffin (20 min) and even Coal Creek (close to 30 min) for fam swim times that are much better. How about 1/2 the pool open for family swim times 5-6 hours on weekends. The lap lanes aren’t that crowded. Glad to have the sauna & steam rooms – the newer Ys don’t have those. And REALLY glad to be getting family dressing rooms!

  • Christina September 8, 2014 (8:10 am)

    love the YMCA, have been members for years BUT I drive to the SeaTac location almost everyday to use the pool. It is mind blowing to me that there is not enough room to build another pool… why don’t they open the design process up to a public contest, I bet a student could come with a design that would include a lap pool! (don’t need another locker room!) Also, read that they are tearing down the preschool room, does that mean they will no longer be providing a preschool? That would be sad as West Seattle is lacking good affordable preschools.

  • Gary P September 8, 2014 (8:19 am)

    Hooray, this is long overdue, and greatly needed. I’ve been a Y member since 2001, what I like most and what keeps me coming back is the friendly staff. Yes it will be nice to have twice the cardio space, and I expect new showers but what makes it my place to workout is people like Casey, and Jenny and Kent and Eli, and Molly and all the other smiling staffers. I didn’t get that at those ‘LA Fitness’ places.

  • Clare B September 8, 2014 (8:35 am)

    Yeah, I am going to have to reiterate what so many others have said– it’s too bad the pool can’t be improved. We just recently re-joined the Y, (since we are now new parents and love the family programs offered) but the pool was the main reason we left 5 years ago. It’s too small and there needs to be a lot more lap swim time. It’s so frustrating that there isn’t a great place to swim in West Seattle anymore. All Star used to be good but that went downhill with the bankruptcy.
    Aside from that, we are really excited to see the new changes at our local YMCA!

  • AJP September 8, 2014 (8:39 am)

    Remember the Y is much, much more than a gym. Membership costs include child care while you work out, which is staffed by long-term, well-trained staff. I know other gyms charge for child care while you work out. The Y also cares about total health, not just physical fitness, hence the room for a kitchen so they can hold nutrition classes. There are programs for diabetes, cancer, seniors, etc…and remember it is a non-profit organization, so your money is going back into the community in enriching ways.

  • Bmc September 8, 2014 (9:10 am)

    I DO prefer the WSea abundance of showers compared to the “newer” Ys with just a few private stalls.

  • Jeff September 8, 2014 (9:12 am)

    I like racquetball and used to play there a lot, but I can easily see that it is underused space. I’m one more on the pile that is disappointed that the pool isn’t part of the project though. The SeaTac pool is amazing.

  • WSRedux September 8, 2014 (9:18 am)

    I wonder if the Y board considered buying & remodeling the facility now leased by Oregon Fitness, previously by WS Fitness. Much better pool, plenty of space & parking. The current owner has sought Ch. 11 protection, so the club will probably go under, particularly since we’ll soon have an LA Fitness. Seems like a missed opportunity…they could have had a V8.

    • WSB September 8, 2014 (9:34 am)

      WSRedux, yes, they did consider it, Josh Sutton mentioned during our interview, adding there was one problem in particular: “It wasn’t for sale.”

  • Nick Schroedel September 8, 2014 (9:56 am)

    Loss of the Raquet Ball courts rather than upgrading them to convertible Raquet Ball/Squash courts is really unfortunate. To get rid of both rather than cut down to one seems almost mean-spirited.

    More efficient scheduling their use as multi-purpose rooms should have allowed them to be kept. Schedule them as raquet ball courts when your records show they are most used for that, martial arts classes, dance/zumba clases, extra work out space for sit ups/rope jumping during the other times.

  • trickycoolj September 8, 2014 (10:25 am)

    It’s great to see the Y investing in our community. I only just realized where the building was exactly when trying to find a shorter route to TJs and the upgrades look like it will be much more inviting on the exterior! I’ve been a brief member at the U-District and Downtown locations for fitness use but as someone who doesn’t have a family I just wasn’t able to get as much value out of the membership with those locations being a 10-15 min drive from my previous apartment or inconvenient for commuting past peak hours when working downtown. I still wholeheartedly support the Y with fond memories of day camp and swimming lessons when I was very young. Bummer that an upgraded pool couldn’t be in the cards but it sounds like the analysis was thorough. We have access to public pools via Seattle Parks & Rec unlike many of the suburban communities where the Y is the only option because even the high schools do not have pools.

  • robby September 8, 2014 (10:49 am)

    Agree the pool needs to be upgraded. Those 25 or so parking spots should be expendable (they are way too small to begin with). The trade off is way more positive for pool space. Aren’t we supposed to be grand commuters and don’t need parking spaces? *sarcasm alert!

  • Ryan Hurst September 8, 2014 (12:56 pm)

    Agree with you, Nick, that coming up with some manner of convertible space for at least a single racquetball, squash court along with other possibilities for the karate/other classes would’ve been smart. Unfortunately after having been a member since I was a kid through a family plan ever since they converted from the old fire station into the new building (with the exception of a small hiatus while living in another state for a few years) I’ll have to get rid of my membership…because these days that’s all I use it for. Likely know of at least one other person that will do the very same. Guess we’ll see if anyone else picks up the racquetball torch. -R

  • Sonya September 8, 2014 (12:59 pm)

    My husband will be disappointed. He says he dominates the racquetball courts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Maybe those he beats will be happy…but somehow I don’t think so. Guys?

  • Ryan Hurst September 8, 2014 (1:10 pm)

    Dunno who your husband is, Sonya, but I’d love to play him. We play Tue/Thurs evenings around 8pm. Though we’ve not played much during the summer. With fall creeping up we were just about to get it rolling again. I would be happy to see whether or not he can dominate, because I’ve not met anyone who’s dominated me on the court. That’d be a great change! -R

  • Wsrez September 8, 2014 (1:45 pm)

    This is great news. I dropped my membership besides youth programs simply because the parking was a nightmare and the facility was pretty lackluster for the membership prices. With LA fitness opening huge basketball, pool, track and chilcare for less membership, I’m glad west seattle will have the opportunity to support a great local Organization rather then the box gym, without sacrificing what we look for in a facility.

  • Ben W September 8, 2014 (2:12 pm)

    As the commissioner of the Racquetball Club at the West Seattle Y, I’m quite disappointed. I can also say that Jason’s claims that he dominates the racquetball courts are not based on reality.

  • Eric September 8, 2014 (2:23 pm)

    I know that morning guy at the Y. There is some confusion here. He is not the dominator, he is the gladiator.

  • KJB September 8, 2014 (2:27 pm)

    Do they plan to continue providing preschool child care?

  • Lina September 8, 2014 (2:32 pm)

    I LOVE the Y. It is so much more than just a place to work out for me and my family. If really, what you are looking for is a just a standard place to work out – maybe it is not the most top of the line fancy spot to be. However, what I value most is that I can go there – with or without my family – and exercise alongside people of all shapes, colors and ages. I love the focus on health and community. I love that it does not have any of the competitive, intimidating vibe that other gyms I have been a member of have. I love that they have childcare. I love that they have family and community nights – open to everyone. So – they are not perfect, I do not care. Equipment a little older, I do not care. Thanks YMCA for being in our community and making improvements! You can never please everyone but count me as one who is psyched.

  • Don Brubeck September 8, 2014 (7:51 pm)

    Exciting to see that the WS YMCA is planning this. Disappointed that the preliminary site plan shows angled parking all along 36th Ave SW. 36th is planned to be a neighborhood Greenway street. Using the street roadway as a parking lot aisle is not safe – to hard to see bikes and other vehicles while parking or leaving. Hoping the Y can accommodate car parking without resorting to this.

  • Neighbor September 8, 2014 (8:33 pm)

    The Pool is terrible, and it’s short sighted to ignore it but it goes along with the YMCA wholly rejecting their promise to serve all abilities. Instead this Y in particular serves the aged community of West Seattle and parents with children. It should advertise itself as a aged facility with daycare. If you’re an athlete and attempt to do a serious work out – particularly a good fast swim, you will be shunned and the guards will direct slow swimmers to you lane rather than doing their job and directing swimmers of different abilities to different lanes. And the management of the pool is worse than the pool itself. The guards don’t bother to enforce rules or lane etiquette. Perhaps at a minimum Mr. Grimes can address the pool management, if not reconsider the need for an adequate pool. First, there is no true lap swim time except for master’s swim, instead aged patrons get to the pool and demand water walking areas during the noon hour when those of us who work but have a brief break in which we want to swim can do so, resulting in 2/3 of the pool going to people who are not lap swimming during the “lap swim” only hour in the 2 double wide lanes (which are not lap swim lanes). Second, enough aged patrons (who have much more time on their hands to hang out in the lobby and complain until they get their way) complain about having to share the narrow lanes that fast lap swimmers, and so the lane lines are often removed. Anyone who wants a true lap swim experience should just wait for the LAFitness to open. I live 2 blocks from this facility and I keep hoping for an improvement in the pool situation. I’ve spoken many times with Allison and more recently with Jenna, and while they say they’re addressing the issues, they don’t. And Sunny was getting a handle on the crotchety pool patrons who just swim down the middle of the lane they’ve swam in for 20 years because they’ve been members longer, but now she’s gone and the pool is once again anti-lap swimmers.

    When I first got the email from the Y today I was excited to think that the Y really has patrons in mind, but the proposed changes just reinforce my concern that the Y is just doubling down on its efforts to cater to special needs patrons, the aged, and families with children rather than the whole, growing community of varying abilities and patrons who already engage in healthy living. Until some real effort is placed on serving the whole community, the Y will have to look elsewhere for handouts for the bill – perhaps the aged patrons. In the meantime, I’ll be counting down to the LAFitness pool along with the other patrons who value a facility that offers at least a few times a day for lap swimmers to actually swim laps.

  • Josh Sutton September 8, 2014 (10:39 pm)

    Don Brubeck – The Y project isn’t changing 36th configuration, it’s already angled parking there and aligns with the city’s Triangle Plan? I will try to reach you directly to learn more.

    Neighbor – it sounds like you’ve really tried to make our Y pool work. I’m sorry it hasn’t, and that you feel excluded as an athletic lap swimmer. If you can send me an email I will refund your last six month’s membership dues. Jsutton(at)seattleymca.org

  • WScanyon September 8, 2014 (11:54 pm)

    I think this is dumb move. Even doubling their space is not enough. The Y board should take a hard look at the failing West Seattle Athletic Club and see if it makes sense to take over that space. At its current location, the Y will be toast when the new LA Fitness opens, even after the expensive remodel.

  • My two cents ... September 9, 2014 (4:55 am)

    It appears that this branch of the YMCA continues to put the needs of the social programs ahead of the people that only use and need the fitness aspects of the facility. This is fine in that the Y does serve the community as a whole — it would be wise not to be complacent with the group that brings in a large portion of their revenue while other viable options are emerging (services and cost).

  • CMP September 9, 2014 (8:37 pm)

    Oh dear, Neighbor…you sound like me about lap swimming! I just joined the Y tonight since Southwest is basically closed in the morning until February so I’ll be there at 5:30 am for the Masters workout. I swam D-1 in college so I’m no moron…the biggest challenge with lap swimmers is lack of common sense and inability to share the lane. One of the few things I think the city pools do well is setting out lane markers for Easy, Medium, Fast andVery Fast. People rarely pay attention to them (just like most people drive around here!) but at least it’s a guideline. I used to swim at All Star years ago and people my parents’ age would swim in my lane b/c they knew I could stay on my side since I was competent. Don’t mind screwing up my workout though, oh no! That is my big fear about the Y since their lanes are really narrow but I’ll have to exercise patience I guess. A little education could help: set out lane markers so faster people can swim together and the aqua walkers can have their space. And circle swim with people who are your speed! It’s not that hard.

  • Fred September 9, 2014 (9:54 pm)

    What are the plans for parking? Certainly the Y needs more room but where will people park? Right now, it’s a competition to get a legal space when you go to work out.

  • Maria Groen September 10, 2014 (9:54 am)

    I’m the Development Director at the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA and I’d like to invite everyone interested in this project to attend a Feedback Meeting to share your concerns and ideas. This project is exciting and complex, and we look forward to having many discussions with Y members and community members to shape the future of the Y in West Seattle. Please RSVP for Feedback Meetings at OurNewY.org or come to the front desk at either the West Seattle Y or Fauntleroy Y to sign up. Thanks to all commentors for your ideas, questions and interest. We look forward to meeting you at a Feedback Meeting, or if you cannot attend, the “Tell Us What You Think” form at OurNewY.org allows for personal interaction and in-depth responses. Thanks, again! Maria Groen, mgroen at seattleymca.org

  • Kevin September 10, 2014 (8:27 pm)

    Racquetball is a sport that can be enjoyed by all ages. When my kids were younger, we went to the Y as a family and played TOGETHER. I have seen the commissioner’s boy out on the court having a great time. It gives both men and women another opportunity to bond with their kids. As illustrated by our group of ever increasing racquetball players, the game can be played by young and old alike. The courts are not wasted space as some may think. We see, to our dismay, that they are sometimes occupied by Karate classes due to lack of space for that activity. Frankly, if they eliminate the racquetball courts, they are cutting out more than just racquetball players. I have seen high school tennis players in there practicing their serves, kids playing dodgeball, soccer and basketball players practicing their moves and shots, kids with the big bouncy balls having a blast. Racquetball is something that not only provides good aerobic exercise but also builds excellent community and comradery. As I previously mentioned, it continues to grow and expand in numbers because it is an inclusive rather than exclusive community. What a travesty for the Y expansion planners to think that racquetball courts should not be a part of the comprehensive plan.

    I have been a member since 2005 along with my family for a lot of that time. Now I also see that they are raising the membership dues another $6.00/month and considering eliminating the one thing that benefits me the most. I for one will not be a member of a facility that doesn’t include racquetball courts. If they follow through with this plan, it will push me out.

  • Jennifer September 10, 2014 (9:31 pm)

    Nice pool with stairs always a big draw!

  • Fourth September 11, 2014 (8:22 am)

    Echo what Neighbor (and others) have said about the terrible pool facilities and management. The lack of adequate lap swim hours and dedicated lanes is the number one reason I quit the Y. I like the idea of the Y, but in my experience in dealing w/ staff there, they are not interested in serving the needs of the entire community; rather, they mostly seem to serve a (very) vocal minority. It’s too bad… things like the Y are valuable for promoting neighborhood well-being and cohesiveness, but given my experience there, I’ll put my $$ elsewhere.

  • Linda September 12, 2014 (10:45 pm)

    Our family were members for several years, just letting our membership lapse this summer. Three main criticisms of the West Seattle Y (our closest):
    1. Parking is awful most of the time. I often tried to squeeze in a workout when I had only a half hour or 45 minutes available, but ended up just driving away after wasting 10-15 minutes trying to find parking. (The spots in the North lot are too narrow for anything but very small cars.)
    2. The pool is virtually unavailable for families during the week (there is a HALF HOUR of family swim time midday some days – not long enough to be worth the bother!) The swim team takes over the pool during after school hours, leaving no open or family swim times during the week (at least, nothing early enough for school nights). I would think that updating the pool area – adding a second pool – would have been the top priority (second only to adding real family changing rooms, which is happening).
    3. Too expensive for what is offered – especially for small families, who pay as much for 2 adults and one child as a family with several children and teens.

    I agree that the cardio area needs expansion, but I never had to wait more than a few minutes for a machine. Expanding the pool area would be a much higher priority for us.

  • KatieH September 14, 2014 (8:31 pm)

    I’ve used Ys all over the US (the world, actually!). I love them for their friendliness and community. I really value the ability to use the Y in Missoula, New York, Baltimore, Santa Monica or wherever I happen to be.
    Private clubs have a smarmy, sales orientation that grosses me out. I used to use the city pools, but they don’t have the same whole-community feeling to them.
    I don’t love the pool at the West Seattle Y. I can’t wait for real family changing rooms, new fitness equipment, and, I hope, better drainage in the showers.
    But I love it anyway. People there are so kind, accommodating and genuinely engaged with my child with special needs. It is a pleasure to go there every day.

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