A new Downtown YMCA and a Y in East Boise may be in the cards

The Treasure Valley Family YMCA will remodel or rebuild its Downtown gym and may construct a new Y in Southeast Boise.

First, though, the Y is focusing on adding a $10 million swimming pool to the South Meridian YMCA that opened in late May.

“That’s a commitment we’ve made and we’re going to see it through,” said David Duro, CEO of the Treasure Valley Family YMCA, which serves more than 60,000 members throughout the Treasure Valley.

The YMCA emailed a survey in October to its 16,000 members of the Downtown gym, seeking input on possible expansion. The survey sought opinions on remodeling or replacing the building at 1050 W. State Street, which opened half a century ago next to Boise High School. It also asked what members thought of building a new YMCA at Bown Crossing or along Federal Way near Micron Technology Inc., both in East Boise.

It’s unclear how much a new Y might cost. “We know it’s going to be expensive,” Duro said, noting that the South Meridian Y cost $18.5 million. If the YMCA moves forward, construction would likely take place during the next five to seven years, he said.

“(An) East Boise YMCA would be great,” Boise resident Sarah Widdison wrote in response to a Statesman Facebook post seeking comments. “Gym space is scarce and having a Y on this side of town would give people lots to do.”

The population in Southeast Boise is growing, Duro said, and it’s taking residents longer to drive to Downtown.

“There’s such limited access to activities on this side of town,” Kristina Guillan Skinner wrote on Facebook. “(It) would be a great addition ... there (is) so much growth over here.”

The YMCA came to Boise in 1891. The current Downtown Y opened in 1968. Downtown had the only YMCA gym in the Treasure Valley until 1996, when the West Boise branch opened near Chinden Boulevard and Cloverdale Road. A Caldwell location was added in 2005, and the South Meridian branch opened this year.

“This is the 50th anniversary of this Downtown facility,” Duro said. “It’s been a great building and has really served the community well. But as the community has grown and the needs have changed some, and the diversity of our community has grown, we’ve asked whether we’re providing enough service and the right types of service to really help the community.”

The Downtown YMCA has 80,149 square feet on three main levels. Two major expansions and remodels took place in 1985 and 1999. Hallways and stairways wind through the building. It’s not always easy to find where some gyms and exercise rooms are located.

“I tease people when they first go through the facility and ask how many bread crumbs they have to make sure they can get back to the front door,” he said.

When Duro first started working there in 1982 there were 3,000 members, fewer than one-fifth the number of people who use it today. At the time, the Y had one lap pool, a room for group activities, two exercise bikes, a treadmill and a cross-country ski machine.

Today, there are dozens of elliptical cardio exercisers, stair-steppers, treadmills, stationary bicycles and weight-training machines. There’s also a second pool with a pair of slides, a shallow children’s pool and a hot tub. A full-court basketball gym, three racquetball courts, five fitness studios and an indoor climbing wall round out the offerings.

Initially, the YMCA was geared toward adults. It wasn’t until the mid- to late 1970s that child care was added. Now, the Y operates a youth activity center and a child care room where parents who are working out can leave their children up to 6 years old.

The Y also offers an after-school program and an on-site preschool. A similar Y program for infants and toddlers operates at the First Presbyterian Church across the street. A larger building might accommodate that program.

In Meridian, the West Ada Recreation District sought $20 million two years ago to pay for a swimming pool at the South Meridian YMCA and another pool in north Meridian. Although 51 percent of voters voted “yes” on a bond levy, it fell short of the two-thirds majority needed.

A quiet fundraising campaign has begun for the Y pool, targeting companies and individuals who could afford to give $25,000 or more, Duro said. A public campaign for smaller donations will come later.

Duro said he and the board hope to break ground next year and have the pool open sometime in 2020.

“It’s so needed, and people are passionate about it,” he said.

This story was originally published November 1, 2018 at 11:02 AM.