KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Santa Clarita Valley officials confirmed the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, which owns the lease for the McBean Parkway facility, has a plan that could close the Valencia building Dec. 1.
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Officials with the organization were “dismayed” when notified in June about the move, which was explained as a way to introduce Y Without Walls to the community, while a new facility is eventually constructed.
However, the new facility might not be online for quite some time, leaving a vital need for the area, supporters said.
Many were concerned that the closure, which follows a recent capital campaign for several hundred thousand dollars to refurbish the McBean Parkway building, would take away a valuable community resource, as well as harm future efforts by the Y in the area. Some familiar with the new YMCA building plans said while the Senior Center will be ready likely within 18 months, the Five Knolls YMCA facility might not be ready for as many as 10 years.
A call to the media spokeswoman for YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles seeking comment was not immediately returned.
“We’re shocked and dismayed by this announcement,” said Morris Thomas, a member of the board that oversees the local YMCA. “We would strongly urge them to reconsider their position. It’s essential for that facility to stay open if it’s their intent to come back into the community and raise a capital campaign for the Five Knolls location.”
The new location is being constructed in conjunction with developer Brookfield, who donated the land that will be part of a YMCA and Senior Center, closer to the center of the SCV. However, that plan is several years from shovels going into the ground.
Thomas called the current YMCA facility one of the most recognizable landmarks in the SCV, and noted local volunteers have recently finished a several hundred thousand dollar capital campaign to refurbish that facility. Several volunteers expressed concern that the closure could impact future efforts to raise money for the YMCA and other programs that operate out here.
The intended plan, according to local officials, is to host the Y Without Walls program here, a concept that partners with community organizations to host programs with the Y.
Board President Colin Jones sees the McBean facility as an integral part of the community, providing affordable, family-oriented facility that promotes community and health in the Santa Clarita Valley for low-income families.
“This is a low-cost healthy-lifestyle facility that’s providing a wonderful resource to families,” Jones said, mentioning all the child care and other programs anchored at the Valencia location, “at a lower cost for families than what a traditional might offer.”
Several hundred community and business leaders celebrated Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich on Thursday night, as he was the recipient of the distinguished John Fuller Memorial Award at the YMCA’s 3rd Annual Heart of the Community Gala at the Hyatt Regency in Valencia.
I think that The Citizens of Santa Clarita getting the Shaft. I would help out in any way to either keep this facility or Open one that is close to this place.
From what I know, the SCV YMCA has been running deficit for years which is not being allowed to continue depsite its good work. You say “[you] would help out in any way.” My question is, do you, will you? If so, great. Unfortunately it seems that support only comes when something goes away rather than support for an organization that does so much good every day in Santa Clarita. Maybe with this publicity and a few more of us getting off the sidelines, something can be done to really help, expand and further enhance the YMCA’s programs.
Long overdue, as that facility was a pit. The indoor pool facilities were so moldy that we had to cancel our membership several years ago. We were hoping that 5 knolls would be ready to go already, but it appears that it might never even come to pass. The city needs a nice, clean, indoor pool facility.
Been involved with YMCA programs for 10 years. Even over that time I have seen programs shrink and be severely challeneged economically. Seems like McBean facility while an asset to the community simply comes with high operational costs. Other Y programs are burdened with covering disproportionately high percentage of the overhead. Maybe this closure can get the Y through until the new, larger and hopefully economically sustainable facility can be realized. Just hope SCV Y can survive until then as they do wonderful things for the community. Go YMCA Adventure Guides & Trailblazers! Great programs and unfortunately valley’s best kept secret.
Why is it that the little guy always gets cut ? I finally found a place where I feel safe and comfortable, and what do they do but get rid of it. Please don’t close down this very special place. it is so good for us seniors ! The water exercises are the best for seniors I have ever been to. Young people also have a good place to do their exercise,with a very nice babysitting facility,new equipment and remolding that was done last year. Please KEEP our YMCA. Its all I and many other Seniors can afford.
We are in our 80s, my wife participates in their Advanced Zumba class 4 times a week, while I do my thing with pool exercises or on the machines in the gum.
The ambience is great, personnel friendly and most helpful. OK, build a bigger better one somewhere else or perhaps a duplicate of the Valencia YMCA would serve more persons at less cost.
It works, don’t change it.
I’d be happy to speak again somewhere about what the Valencia Y did for me and my son. We are featured in the Metropolitan YMCA’s 150 yr anniversary book and video.
Raising money and then closing would turn people away from the Y and go with a more sound program.
This would be a terrible loss to many within the community. I sincerely hope they reconsider closing the facility.
Are they trying to relocate the city? The YMCA is a landmark here in SCV.
It is affordable and helps a lot of families! I hope they reconsider!!!
This is so sad that money raised in this Valley is going to L.A. So if LA Metro closes our Y who is going to pay their lease.
I hope the City of Santa Clarita takes it over sense they own the Tennis Courts next to the Y.
The Y does not fill a ” Vital Need ” in the community. It competes with other small gym owners for members. I don’t care if it never re-opens.
Competition is good. Competition causes business owners to innovate and improve, and controls costs for consumers. So why that “interesting” comment? Are you a small gym owner that doesn’t want to innovate or improve your service offerings, or that wants to gouge consumers unnecessarily?
Ymca use to have good day care program at schools. Every year changes and have people running them that don’t care about the kids only there paycheck. Pricing goes up activities go down. Ymca use to do good things. Hope something else takes there place and they stay out if SCV. Finally pulled my son out of program after 5 years.