YMCA Rising at Third and Oxford

The new LEED silver rated Anderson-Munger Family YMCA is rising at 4301 W Third Street (at Oxford) and will offer a well-needed recreational sports center for people in Hancock Park and Koreatown. The YMCA is expected to open in the early spring of 2014, hopefully by April according to a spokesperson for YMCA of Metropolitan LA.

The two-story, 30,000 square foot facility will have an aquatic center, fitness areas, and childcare and meeting spaces. The warm water indoor pool will offer local swimmers locker rooms and a place to train, as well as a therapeutic whirlpool.  Above the parking structure, a rooftop community deck will be designed with basketball courts, a walking track, and youth and teen programming areas. The project’s “LEED” certification means it has followed strict guidelines for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Los Angeles artist Kim Abeles has been contracted  to provide public art installations within the new YMCA.  Her work, under the working title of Shared Skies, speaks to the idea of  “reaching beyond one’s grasp”, and “reaching for the sky” in setting goals and creating vision. The five distinct works will include sandblasted drawings on glass, and photographs printed on powdercoated aluminum.

For a limited time, the Anderson Munger Family YMCA is offering a reduced $49 one-time entrance fee (regularly $99) for individuals and families who sign up now. Prior to the local YMCA opening, new members can utilize any one of the other YMCAs in the greater LA metro area. Monthly costs will be $72/month for a family, $51/month for adults and $37/month for young adults aged 18-22. Sign up now online at YMCA  for the half-off Charter Membership that also includes reduced parking fees, free water bottle and tote bag, and inclusion in special events and programming at the new facility.