The Lake Highlands Family YMCA has kicked off a year-long renovation and expansion project allowing the branch to serve more families in the community by updating existing areas and adding more than 15,000 square feet.
The project will be broken into three phases in order to keep the branch operational during construction. The first phase, renovating the indoor pool, has begun. The expanded six-lane pool will allow for more space for water aerobics, swim lessons and YMCA swim team, plus there will be recreational swim time for families scheduled throughout the year. The remodeled indoor lap pool is expected to open in time for summer, by early June 2020.
"The Lake Highlands YMCA is proud to celebrate our 20-year anniversary at this location and we are excited to make improvements that will allow us to expand our services to match the needs of this rapidly growing community," said Brian Haines, Executive Director of the Lake Highlands YMCA. “Our pool is one of the most loved features at this branch as we use it to teach kids and adults lifesaving swim lessons, for swim team and for exercise. The upgrade to the pool will allow us to expand these offerings and is just the beginning of the bigger changes to come in 2020.”
A groundbreaking event will be held at the branch on March 3 to launch the next larger phase of the expansion. In addition to the expanded building, renovations of the existing space will allow the Y to offer the community two larger group exercise rooms, a dedicated state-of-the-art cycle room, a larger Childwatch room, an expanded wellness center with additional equipment and more seating and congregation areas. All indoor areas, including the gym and locker rooms, will also be updated. The expanded Lake Highlands YMCA facility will offer new programs including but not limited to youth dance, martial arts, holiday camps, family nights, teen programming, health seminars, and more recreational and social programming for seniors. The updates are expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
The Lake Highlands expansion is the first in a multi-year, strategic growth strategy by the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. Its Board of Directors and leadership plan to renovate existing YMCA locations and partner with new communities to significantly expand the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas’ footprint with new or expanded programs or by building facilities. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas currently serves 250,000 people each year in diverse communities within Dallas and surrounding cities in 8 counties. This comprehensive approach will enable the Y to serve more people and address pressing community health and wellness needs.
“As North Texas continues to grow, there are more families and communities. An important part of our mission is to serve those ever-increasing number of families through the Y,” explained Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.
In addition, the Lake Highlands YMCA has a goal of raising $1 million to support the addition of an outdoor pool and splash pad that would open in the summer of 2021. Donations and partnership inquiries can be made to Brian Haines at bhaines@ymcadallas.org or John Nitardy, Senior Vice President of Advancement at jnitardy@ymcadallas.org.
For more information on the Lake Highlands expansion, please visit https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/lake_highlands.
About the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas serves thousands of men, women and children each year, regardless of age, income or background. Anchored in 21 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The Y ensures all people have equitable access to the essentials needed to become thriving members of the community. Daily, the Y bridges and fills individual and community needs as a catalyst for impactful change. The YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, with three areas of focus: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. To learn more or get involved in improving our local communities, have opportunities to make an impact and support your neighbors, please visit us at www.ymcadallas.org.