Recognizing A Legacy Of Service
The YMCA has been serving the greater Tacoma community for more than 46 years. Throughout its lifetime on Pearl Street, generations of children, adults, and families have been positively impacted by the life-changing programs and activities offered by the Y.
Over the last 46 years, we have made significant investments in this community center to ensure that its legacy of service continues. The current center has reached the end of its useful life and a new center is critical to ensure that we can continue to positively transform the lives of Tacoma residents.
A New YMCA For The Tacoma Community
The new Pearl Street Family YMCA will be a state-of-the-art community center that will carry on this legacy of service in Tacoma. The Pearl Street Family Y will feature an improved aquatics center, cardio and strength training areas, gymnasiums, multi-purpose rooms, an enhanced climbing wall, indoor walking track, teen center, among many other spaces that will enable us to continue to serve as a central gathering place and a safe, positive, and secure place in helping individuals and families reach their full potential.
Construction of the Pearl Street Family YMCA will take place in phases, with the first phase expected to take 18-20 months. Construction, which began in May 2024, will take place directly behind the current community center and will include an aquatics center, climbing wall, strength training area, locker rooms, welcome center, and lounge areas. The current community center will remain open during construction and once the first phase of construction is complete, all aquatics-based activities, as well as strength training and climbing activities, will be offered out of the Pearl Street Family Y. After that, the Y will shift its focus to the next stage of fundraising and the construction of a new gym.
Useful Information
Why are you building a new YMCA?
As the current aquatic center, which was built in the late 1970s, nears the end of its useful life, it became evident that bringing the aquatic center up to current design and building codes would force the Y to make similar code updates to the rest of the facility. The Y’s leaders and board of directors researched several different avenues and determined building a modern, state-of-the-art facility was the best path forward.
When does construction of the new community center begin?
Construction of the new Pearl Street Family YMCA began in May 2024.
How long will it take to build?
We expect the first phase of construction, which includes an aquatics center, climbing wall, strength training area, locker rooms, welcome center, and lounge areas, to last 18–20 months. The second phase of construction will not begin until after the first phase is completed.
What will this new community center include?
The first phase of construction includes a new aquatics center, climbing wall, weight room, locker rooms, welcome center, and lounge areas. The second phase of construction includes new gymnasiums, cardio room, art room, chapel, teen center, lounge, child watch, multipurpose rooms, community meeting room, racquetball and squash courts, cycling studio, and in-door walking track.
Where are you building the new community center?
Construction of the new community center will take place directly behind the current Y.
Will the current YMCA be open during construction?
Yes, the current YMCA will remain open during construction of the Pearl Street Family Y. Programming such as gymnastics, dance, arts, group exercises classes, etc., will continue at the current community center until the new gym is completed. All cardio equipment will remain at the current Y until then. The current locker rooms, welcome center, and lounge areas will remain accessible even after the first phase of construction is completed.
Will any of my classes or programs be impacted during construction?
All in-center activities, including classes, events, and camps, will be unaffected, but some sections of the parking lot will be closed at times, and check-in/checkout areas for summer day camp and youth sports may be relocated.
How will construction impact where I park my car?
We are making a concerted effort to minimize the impact of construction on our members. Parking in front of and to the north of the current YMCA will not be impacted by construction, however the south entrance of the parking lot will be closed for the first week of the project. In addition, parking directly behind and south of the facility may be affected. As traffic and parking conditions shift, we will provide clear signage and guidance to ensure every member has access to the center.
What will happen to the current Y once the new aquatics center opens?
While all pool activity, sauna, steam room, and showers will be moved to the state-of-the-art aquatics center upon completion, the current Y will continue to host programming such as gymnastics, dance, arts, group exercises classes, etc. All cardio equipment will also remain at the current Family Y. We look forward to limiting interruptions to your Y experience as much as possible during construction.
Will the current Y be connected to the Pearl Street Y? If I scan into one, will I need to scan into the other as well?
The two community centers will be connected by a walkway. Depending on which amenities members use during their visit, they may be expected to scan into both community centers. The safety of our members will remain of utmost importance to us while both community centers are operational.
What’s next after the opening of the new aquatics center?
Once the new aquatics center is completed, we will shift our focus to the next phase of fundraising for gymnasiums, cardio room, art room, chapel, teen center, lounge, child watch, multipurpose rooms, community meeting room, racquetball and squash courts, cycling studio, and indoor walking track.
The beginning of construction for the next phase will depend on our fundraising efforts. Construction length is to be determined and demolition of the current Y will begin after construction is completed.
