NORTHRIDGE : Funds Mount for New YMCA Center

The North Valley Family YMCA is making strides in its goal of building a new facility in Northridge, YMCA officials said Monday.

Currently in the fund-raising stage, the new, full-service facility will include an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium and community rooms, as well as an infant and preschool child-care center.

North Valley Family YMCA held a celebration last week to mark the success of its Community Gifts Committee, one of the arms of its fund-raising campaign, which has raised more than $300,000 toward the new facility.

The Community Gifts Committee is composed of more than 100 YMCA volunteers from throughout the San Fernando Valley. To date, $763,000 has been raised by the combined fund-raising committees.

Officials hope to break ground for the new center, which will cost $3.5 million, by late summer of next year, said YMCA Executive Director Jane Stanton. The center will be located on Corbin Street just north of the Simi Valley Freeway on nearly 3 1/2 acres donated to the YMCA by Porter Ranch Development Co.

The North Valley Family YMCA in Mission Hills has been active in the Valley since 1927, mainly as an outreach facility.

Ten off-site, after-school programs, as well as two preschools operated by the facility, remain in operation as plans proceed for the new 30,000-square-foot center.

The new center will contain the third preschool operated by North Valley Family YMCA. According to officials, affordable child care is one of the most urgent needs of the community. They expect the child-care program to grow from 450 participants to 900 with the expansion.