Long-awaited Sumner YMCA to open Sept. 14

Sumner’s long wait for a new YMCA is almost over.

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties announced Tuesday that the Gordon Family YMCA at 16101 64th St. E. will open at 8 a.m. Sept. 14.

“The outpouring of support from the Sumner community at large has been humbling,” said Bob Ecklund, president and CEO of the organization. “This is a community that truly embraces the power of possibility.”

The Y’s aquatics center opening is expected to oepn in December or shortly after. The date will be announced later.

The Y has raised about $16.4 million for the $35 million building, including a $2 million grant from the state’s capital budget and a $5 million pledge from the city of Sumner.

The Y will pay the rest of the costs, spokeswoman Kaeley Triller Haver said.

The 110,000-square-foot facility will include community gathering spaces, a visual and performing arts center, workout equipment and group fitness rooms and a climbing wall.

It also will include a teen center that will have free monthly late-night events.

The boost in activities for teens comes amid concerns from some residents and business owners about a lack of programs for young people.

Some recently said the shortage might have contributed to community problems such as graffiti.

The YMCA estimates about 22,000 residents in Sumner, Bonney Lake and surrounding areas will join the new Y, a membership comparable to the Mel Korum Family YMCA in Puyallup.

There are 3,540 registered charter members so far, according to the Y.

The new facility will offer financial assistance to lower-income residents who want to join.

Hiring at the recreation center has already started, Triller Haver said.

About 30 employees, mostly membership representatives and full-time program directors, have been hired, with another 100 employees likely to be hired over the next few months.

Most of those hires will be part-time, though some full-time positions are still available, Triller Haver said. Executive director Andrea Millikan will lead the staff.

Many meetings about opening a community center for local residents were held in 2007, said Barbara Bitetto, chairwoman of the facility’s advisory council.

The result, after many years of planning, is better than expected, she said.

“The Y offers many of the programs we hoped for and more,” Bitetto said. “This will be a great addition to this part of East Pierce County. We can’t wait.”

This story was originally published August 3, 2015 at 11:01 PM with the headline "Long-awaited Sumner YMCA to open Sept. 14."