Surrey is one step closer to having a second YMCA location in the city with the signing of an Agreement in Principle by the City of Surrey and the YMCA of Greater Vancouver.
The new facility is projected to open in 2021 in Whalley. As with the existing Tong Louie Family YMCA in Panorama (152 Street and Highway 10), the new facility will serve thousands of children and families through a wide range of health, recreation and wellness programs.
The next step in the process is the selection of a site for the facility and the launch of a capital campaign to be led by the YMCA.
“The YMCA’s commitment to help all people reach their potential paired with city council’s focus on building a socially sustainable Surrey makes this a natural partnership,” said Stephen Butz, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Vancouver. “We believe everyone can thrive when they are active, learning and connected.”
The proposed new facility’s features will be similar to the Tong Louie Family YMCA, which opened in Newton in 2002:
• 60,000 square feet of space, with underground parking;
• Indoor pool to provide a range of teaching, fitness and rehabilitative programming;
• Change rooms that cater to all ages and abilities, including family change rooms;
• Public spaces and common areas;
• Gymnasium, studios and strength and conditioning zones;
• Multi-purpose rooms to offer a broad range of child, youth and community programs;
• Child-minding to allow parents and caregivers time to work out;
• Family Development Centre to help families raise great kids through programming, resources and support.
“The City of Surrey is pleased to partner with the YMCA of Greater Vancouver to address the social infrastructure needs of our growing communities,” said Mayor Linda Hepner. “Council’s recent approval of this Agreement in Principle furthers the strong working relationship shared by our organizations. We look forward to undertaking the next steps in the process.”
More than 44,000 Surrey residents are served by the YMCA through the Tong Louie Family YMCA and 100 program sites located across the city which offer child care, health, aquatics, youth leadership, sports, employment, education, new immigrant and child and family development programs.