Kensington/Talmadge Group Approves YMCA for City Heights

Plans for the construction of a new Copley-Price YMCA were unanimously approved last week by the Kensington/Talmadge Community Planning Group.

The YMCA will be built on the old Pearson Ford dealership property at Fairmount Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard. Robert Price of Price Charities donated the 3.5-acre site to the Copley YMCA. The old Copley YMCA in City Heights’ Park de la Cruz faced costly remodeling.

Construction of the almost $27 million facility will begin in spring 2013 and be completed in 2014. Given the structure’s high-profile urban setting, architects aim to achieve the Green Building Council’s Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation.

YMCA membership is projected to grow to 18,000, almost double that of the old site. Among the activities and attractions will be a soccer field, an aquatic complex, a fitness center, computer room, a demo kitchen, and childcare service. A three-story onsite parking garage will be available, although the goal is to encourage local residents to walk or bike there.