Expanded West Seattle YMCA opens Friday

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The newly expanded West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) just got the final inspection clearance, and it will open tomorrow morning! That’s the word from Joleen Post at the Y. She and Josh Sutton gave us a sneak peek this afternoon. Above, the new front/entrance, now facing SW Snoqualmie Street. Inside, the new fitness center is, well, the centerpiece:

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The fitness center spans 5,700 square feet and is right on the east side of the entrance hall. On the west side, a community gathering room that can hold up to 170 people (and has a kitchen):

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When we stopped in, final setup was still under way – the huge reception area will have furniture in place before you see it tomorrow:

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A few expansion features have a little more work to be done, such as the family changing rooms, but they’ll be ready soon. Outside the building, by the way, the parking lots WILL be open when the doors open at 5:30 tomorrow morning. And of course, some expansion features are already in use, like the ones we spotlighted back in November.

Tomorrow, one way to get your first look at the expansion is during Family Night. Or, one of the three Try It Tuesdays starting next week. Lots of special events are scheduled – see the full list here. If you’re not a member yet, you’re welcome at the special events too – and if you are considering joining, note that there are no joining fees if you sign up this month.

BACKSTORY: The groundbreaking celebration for the expansion work was just seven months ago. At that time, the Y also celebrated the designation of the block of SW Snoqualmie in front of its new entrance as a “festival street”; the first event was the last screening of last summer’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies series, and Sutton says the Y will soon put together a committee to come up with a list of events for this summer – not just the movies, but more. If you’re interested, contact him at jsutton@seattleymca.org.

17 Replies to "Expanded West Seattle YMCA opens Friday"

  • SGG January 5, 2017 (3:46 pm)

    How much are the monthly dues?

    • SueY January 6, 2017 (9:29 am)

      Too much in my opinion. 

    • DS January 6, 2017 (3:13 pm)

      We have a family membership and it is by far the most cost effective facility in WS that can accommodate all three of us with activities we can enjoy (individually and as a family), at times that work with our busy schedules.  

  • WSB January 5, 2017 (3:51 pm)

    Follow the JOIN link on the Y website, which is in turn linked from its name in the first line here.

  • Wsgal January 5, 2017 (7:26 pm)

    $70 individual, family individual $100 family with two adults $120. 

    • Maggie January 7, 2017 (9:32 am)

      There is also an additional membership fee, which is usually a month’s fee, just to sign up. Awesome if you can afford it, and even if it was possible I have to wonder about the business is being run that a non-profit has to charge such high prices. You are supposed to be serving the community so perhaps setting your prices to compete with other gyms is a place to start. 

      • WSB January 7, 2017 (2:35 pm)

        As noted in the story above, joining fees are waived for this month. That’s a promotion they usually offer multiple times during the year.

        The YMCA’s community service goes beyond its fees, for anyone interested in that information, per its website:
        http://www.seattleymca.org/membership/benefits

        From that page: “With the Y, you’re not just a member of a facility; you’re part of a cause. With a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, improving health and well-being, and giving back and supporting our neighbors, your membership will not just bring about meaningful change in yourself, but also in your community.”

        Among that service, as disclosed in our identification of the Y as a WSB sponsor, is its support of WSB via advertising, for almost as long as we have been around. For those who appreciate our service to the community with 24/7 news, for which we don’t charge readers a cent, that might be worth considering too, when you decide which local businesses and organizations get your dollars.

        (We have four other fitness sponsors currently – Sound Yoga, Fitness Together, Elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, FitBody Solutions – all of which offer different types of services/classes. They and other current WSB sponsors are listed/linked here.)

        -TR

  • FreGirl January 6, 2017 (12:25 am)

    $70 a month??? Wow. I remember when the Y was some place for us poverty level kids to hang out after school, play ball and swim. Now it costs more than the fancy Oh so elitist gym with pool membership I had last year and had to quit because THAT was too expensive! I understand there is some kind of sliding scale based on income but that doesn’t help if you earn too much for the scale but not enough to afford that much a month so you can swim and get relief on your poor arthritic joints. :-(

  • Junction Lady January 6, 2017 (6:59 am)

    Looks very nice!

  • Kadoo January 6, 2017 (10:18 am)

    It’s lovely!

  • steve January 6, 2017 (2:39 pm)

    It’s really beautiful.  The contractor and his workers should be applauded for doing such an excellent job. Still some touch up being done, but it’s sure nice to have my gym back. It feels so nice and spacious.  High ceilings.   Treadmills galore,  personally I think they need more space between them.  Entry area is very inviting.  Can’t wait until the pool area is ready. After work this place is gonna be rockin’. They should hook up all these machines to generate power back to the grid! :)

  • DS January 6, 2017 (3:14 pm)

    I noticed that the winter pool schedule isn’t online (lap swim & classes).  Is the pool & sauna area up and running again?

    • WSB January 6, 2017 (3:18 pm)

      The pool is in operation – it’s part of the free Family Night events tonight. You’ll have to ask the Y about the sauna – that wasn’t an area we visited during our mini-tour – TR

    • Joleen Post January 6, 2017 (6:22 pm)

      Pool schedule is updated now on our website. Sorry for the delay! Sauna, steam room and hot tub are all open as well. 

  • Chelle January 6, 2017 (6:01 pm)

    It’s is beautiful, so spacious! A lot of new machines and class rooms. The contractors did a beautiful job. Great job WS YMCA!

  • Time to workout January 8, 2017 (1:12 am)

    Looks good!  Just in time for the post-holiday exercises!

  • Therealbigpoppa January 8, 2017 (9:32 am)

    The YMCA is a great org and not to be compared to private gyms or health clubs. Keep up the great work and inspiring our communities to do good in the world. 

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