Demolition underway for future Kolar Family YMCA

Kolar Family YMCA Capital Development Chair, Steve Roberson, and Board of Managers Chair, Mauricio Nunez, prepare to take the first swings to begin demolition, that started last week.

DOWNEY – The Kolar Family YMCA Board of Managers and staff held a special "standing" board meeting July 24 to do a ceremonial demolition for the new Y construction on Downey Avenue.

The building is set to open in 2026 and be a Center for Community Well-Being with programming and ways to engage for everyone at any age.

The construction for the new Y follows a multi-year capital campaign raising over $23.5M to build a new fitness center, indoor swimming pool, multipurpose community room, child activity center, and more. The current basketball gym is the only part of the facility to remain, and the Board also toured it as it is being retrofitted.

After the board meeting and demolition demonstration, board members and community leaders celebrated the progress and milestone in the gym. There is still $660,000 to raise, so the work isn’t over.

The fundraising to date reflects broad support from individuals, organizations, foundations and government at all levels. A second phase would include an additional small, warm water therapy pool for another $2,500,000.

Opening is planned for November 2026.

For questions, contact Dan Powell, Interim Executive Director, Senior Vice President at DanPowell@ymcala.org, or you visit https://www.ymcala.org/locations/kolar-family-ymca/

If you would like to support the project visit https://www.ymcala.org/newdowneyymca: naming opportunities are still available from $5,000 - $3,000,000.

Kolar Family YMCA Board of Managers to take first swing to kick of demolition of the old facility. From L to R; Stephen Ferraro, Lillian Simonian, Danielle Galvan, Brian Olvera, Jim Rodriguez, Ray Messler, Maurio Guerra, Roger Brossmer, Gary Nesbit, Eric Pierce, Charles Gregorio, Steve Roberson, Mauricio Nunez, Greg Welch, Jeremy Fitzl, Sonnie Carlton, John Casillas, Dorothy Pemberton, Scott Winningham. Board Members not pictured; Barbara Briley Beard, Tod Corrin, Dr. John Garcia, Ron Kolar, Dan Latham, Beverly Mathis, Hop Morrison, Giggy Saab.