Groundbreaking for New YMCA

After more than a decade on the planning books, ground was broken on January 27, 2009, for construction of a new YMCA in Rancho San Diego. Located adjacent to the Rancho San Diego Towne Center at Campo and Jamacha Roads, it will be called the McGrath Family YMCA in acknowledgment of a $2.5 million dollar gift from that family.

More than 100 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a facility that supporters believe will become a hub of activity for Rancho San Diego and its surrounding communities. The 40,000 square foot building will cost more than $10 million to build and will include a health and fitness center, a multipurpose gymnasium, a youth and teen center, and an aquatics center.

It has taken supporters more than 10 years to raise the money to build the facility. The land is owned by the County, but is being leased to YMCA for $1 a year for 50 years. The 1.72 acre site had originally been set aside for a sheriff’s substation, but a county study determined that the substation would require more land. Vestar, the developer of the neighboring shopping center, donated an adjacent 11 acres on which a ball field, soccer arena, and basketball court are already built. Construction of the YMCA is expected to be completed in early 2010.