La Jolla YMCA Aquatic Center to open with festivities, ribbon-cutting Sept. 27

— BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

After many years of planning, months of construction and much anticipation, the La Jolla YMCA will celebrate the opening of its Ann Woolley Aquatic Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and other festivities 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016 at 8355 Cliffridge Ave. Everyone is invited to join Y board members, staff and members for a first look at the new Aquatic Center. Performances, free gifts and commemorative speeches by community leaders are also planned.

The event will be followed by a Family Fun Community Celebration & BBQ, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1.

The state-of-the-art aquatic center, just one piece of the La Jolla YMCA’s current $15.5 million expansion and renovation project, will be a great benefit to the community. Thousands of people learn valuable lifesaving skills through swim lessons and water safety programming at the La Jolla YMCA each year, and the new aquatic facility will allow the Y to triple its program capacity. The complex features two pools including a cool water, eight-lane lap pool and a warm water activity pool, plus a therapeutic spa, a splash pad for youth water play as well as an outdoor fitness playground.

“We thank our generous donors for turning the vision of the new Ann Woolley Aquatic Center into a reality,” said Sue Ball, Regional Vice-president for the YMCA of San Diego County. “Thousands of children and adults will have the opportunity to enjoy a lifetime of water safety and fun thanks to the skills and the experiences they will get at the Y.”

The Ann Woolley Aquatic Center was made possible through a generous donation by Buzz Woolley to the Golden Opportunity Capital Campaign, to name the new Aquatic Center in honor of his late wife, Ann. For years, Ann Woolley was a fixture at the La Jolla YMCA pool. A life-long swimming enthusiast, Ann would arrive at the Y every day with a bright smile and cheerful attitude. After her swim and participating in water aerobics, the community of friends she established at the Y would gather to spend time together. In addition, Ann served on the La Jolla YMCA Board of Management for three years. In 2014, Ann passed away after a battle with cancer.

The Ann Woolley Aquatic Center is part of the La Jolla YMCA’s Capital Campaign, which includes the expansion and renovation of their main location on Cliffridge Avenue as well as the satellite branch located in the Village at 7877 Herschel Ave. After 50 years at its current location, the La Jolla YMCA Cliffridge facility was in dire need of a renovation. This phased project will provide a virtually new facility from top to bottom, including the addition of a spectacular fitness facility, new locker rooms, as well as new childcare, day care and studio spaces.

La Jolla YMCA serves more than 18,000 people throughout La Jolla, University City, North Clairemont, Sorrento Valley, Carmel Valley and North Pacific Beach, through a variety of programs, services and outreach. This includes nearly 2,000 children and adults who were granted financial assistance to be able to participate in Y programs. As a $7.3 million nonprofit, the La Jolla YMCA employs nearly 200 people year round and another 80 during the summer. Learn more at lajolla.ymca.org

La Jolla YMCA is at 8355 Cliffridge Ave. (858) 453-3483, ext. 12825. E-mail siantosca@ymca.org or visit lajolla.ymca.org and facebook.com/LaJollaYMCA

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