City delays decision on YMCA funding

The Downey YMCA closed during the pandemic and never reopened. Fundraising efforts are underway to build a new facility. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)

DOWNEY — No definitive answer came out of Tuesday discussions on whether or not the city would decide to financially aid the construction of the new YMCA building.

The Downey YMCA is currently in the midst of fundraising over $14 million for a new building that will replace the current structure, which was opened in 1963 and already deteriorating at the time of its closure during the pandemic.

It was clear early on that members of the city council wished to support the Downey YMCA. Still, cost and timing would make it a difficult decision to make.

With the city preparing to break ground on an extensive and costly expansion of the Columbia Memorial Space Center to house the space shuttle Inspiration mock up later this year, Mayor Claudia M. Frometa said the city council needed to think about the financial implication and commitment.

“There are two really big capital projects that are ticking, and monies need to be allocated for that,” said Frometa. “The space center is significantly underfunded. We have probably $11 million for that project, and we need at least double that.

“As much as we all want to support this [YMCA] project, we need to be thoughtful. If we are about to embark in a fundraising campaign for this center, that is also a legacy project, it would be a little difficult for the city to do a significant contribution, or one that really makes a dent on what the YMCA is trying to achieve.”

She added that she would not support dipping into the city’s reserves, and that the city could not provide the entirety of the deficit that the Y project currently faces.

Mayor Pro Tem Mario Trujillo, however, preferred to prioritize the YMCA, emphasizing the services it provided to the community, specifically the youth and the senior population.

“If I look at the space center, we’re going to get this fantastic location; I see it someday where kids are going to visit, and that’s going to help us maintain the great history of the city. I understand that,” said Trujillo.

“But these are critical services that the YMCA provides to our residents at no cost to us. Services to our seniors, to our youth. Particularly the youth; they don’t have a location to go to if you will.”

He said the space shuttle mock-up “could wait.”

“If I again have to choose [between] the housing of the mock-up or the YMCA, I’m with the YMCA,” said Trujillo. “We’ll get to the mock up later.”

Councilman Hector Sosa said that he did not want to “pit both [projects] against each other.”

“The mock up is a very important project for the city of Downey. Of course we’d like to help the Y if we’re able to,” said Sosa.

“I honestly feel this is a topic we need to go through at budgeting if we want to make a sound decision. Go through the budgeting process, look at the numbers; the numbers tell us the story and what we’re able to do, and then do the best we can on both fronts.”

As it stands now, the Y has raised around $11 million.

Members of the Downey YMCA Board of Managers were on hand Tuesday to give a presentation to the city council in an attempt to solicit funding and administrative support from the city, stopping short of naming a specific amount.

The new 20,000 square foot facility is designed to include an outdoor basketball court, pickleball courts, a child activity center, indoor pool, men’s, women’s, and family locker rooms, state-of-the-art fitness center, holistic health community space, and dedicated parking with electric vehicle charging stations and a secured entrance.

The building will also be ADA compliant and inclusive.

Board member Steve Roberson said that “We are going to have a new YMCA here in Downey come heck or high water,” but they need the city to be “proactive.”

“Help us; be proactive in helping us get this YMCA built,” said Roberson. “The sooner we get it built, the better for the entire city.”

The City Council will likely make its final decision during budget discussions later this year.