Groundbreaking Planned for YMCA

The North Valley Family YMCA will break ground today on a new 21,000-square-foot facility that, when finished, will include an indoor pool and fitness center.

The ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the center’s new 3 1/2-acre site at 11336 Corbin Ave., which was donated by Porter Ranch Development Co.

Founded in 1968, the North Valley Family YMCA is now housed in Mission Hills.

Despite the current lack of amenities, the center has 4,500 children and adult members and offers a multitude of children’s programs from day-care and summer camp to youth basketball and river rafting trips.

Executive Director Jane Stanton said the North Valley Family YMCA hopes to provide fitness facilities not only to help Valley residents lead healthier lifestyles but also to attract more adult members.

The first phase of the new facility is expected to cost about $6.5 million, of which $5.9 million has already been raised through donations. Construction is expected to be finished by spring 1998, Stanton said.

The group still needs $1.5 million for the project’s second phase, which will include a training pool, gymnasium and preschool.

“We did not use professional fund-raisers,” said Stan Bryant, steering committee chairman. “They were just guys like me who have other jobs but have had wonderful experiences with their kids and family in the YMCA.”