After four years of anticipation, construction of the Winston Family YMCA in Riverside is complete.
Elected officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the grand opening.
The 72,000 square foot facility replaces the old Yates Family YMCA, which is closer to the St. Johns River. The new YMCA amenities include: a fitness center, an aquatic center, a healthy living center, a gymnasium, a cafe and two spiritual wellness centers, which are quiet places for prayer and meditation.
Eric Mann, First Coast YMCA CEO, said people don’t have a full understanding of what total wellness means.
“When you think about wellness most people think about losing weight and fitness classes. That’s part of it, but total wellness is understanding how to live better, have a healthy mind, a healthy spirit, how to eat better, how to relax and even how to come together.”
The Winston Family YMCA offers these services along with access to medical experts, including: physical therapists, health consultants, dieticians and nutritionists.
The project was first announced in 2012 and since then board members, construction workers and others have been hard at work to guarantee the completion. They have raised $19 million of the $21 million cost and will continue to seek donations.