The Winston Family YMCA is barely two years old, and yet it’s already too small to meet the demand of Jacksonville’s Brooklyn neighborhood.
The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast announced plans Monday to raise $3 million for an expansion.
“As one of the First Coast Y’s most diverse branches in terms of race and socioeconomic status, the Winston Family YMCA is much more than a gym and swim,” said Eric K. Mann, president and CEO of the First Coast YMCA in an email to WJCT News. “The Winston branch is a destination Y in the middle of Jacksonville’s evolving urban core that represents a total wellness resource in the community. As we continue to serve even more people, the Winston Y facility must expand to continue providing quality, impactful programs and services for all.”
Within two years, Winston Y’s membership base of around 15,000 people has exceeded growth expectations by five years. According to the Y, the money will be used to create a new 8,000-square-foot covered wellness area atop the building’s roof.
The Y also plans to expand its KidZone and provide more space for active older adults
The riverfront Winston Family Y building opened in August of 2016.
