Old Downey YMCA cleared as construction nears for new Kolar Family YMCA

Construction on the new Kolar Family YMCA in Downey is expected to begin March 1.

DOWNEY – The old Downey Family YMCA facility is now gone, and the grounds are being prepared for construction of the new Kolar Family YMCA.

If you’ve driven by the site at 11531 Downey Avenue or followed them on social media (@KolarFamilyYMCA on Facebook and Instagram), you’ve seen that the old facility, other than the gym that’s being retrofitted, has been cleared and the property is being prepared for construction to begin March 1.

“We are on schedule and on budget at this time to open in the Spring of 2027,” said Dan Powell, Interim Executive Director and SVP Capital Campaigns. “We still have $595,000 to raise, of our $23.5M goal, to complete the project. So please share the word with your friends that it’s not too late to support this historic investment in the community.

“The new facility will be state-of-the-art and include an indoor pool, healthy lifestyle workout facilities, multipurpose space, child activity center, a newly renovated gymnasium, pickleball courts, welcome center, and locker rooms. In addition, Phase 2 – which would include an additional small, warm water youth and therapy pool - needs an additional $2.5 million.”

To contribute, go to ymcala.org/newdowneyymca or contact DanPowell@ymcala.org

“Though the main Y facility has been shut since the pandemic, we’ve never stopped our impactful youth work,” Powell added. “At five of our local elementary schools and Furman Park, we continue serving over 300 youth and families a day with youth development programs. We are also offering away from home Camp Whittle for youth and teens the week of July 19-26 this summer.”

Visit https://www.ymcala.org/locations/kolar-family-ymca/ to learn more and register

Powell also reported that Cheryl Vargas will become the new Executive Director for the Kolar Family YMCA beginning March 1, 2026.

Vargas currently serves as the Interim Executive Director at the Collins & Katz Family YMCA. She brings over 25 years of successful organizational leadership experience including in YMCA associations in Santa Clara and San Diego.

The Kolar Family YMCA Board of Managers and other volunteers remain focused on their $23.5M Capital Campaign for the new facility as well as their Annual Campaign, which provides assistance to those in need for the current youth programs.

For more information and/or to register for Kolar Family YMCA programs and the Y’s Yes To More Capital Campaign, visit https://www.ymcala.org/locations/kolar-family-ymca/ or call (562) 862-4201