Construction on YMCA facilities is underway

Organizers tap community for funding of projects

By MELISSA MATCHAK

Winter may not seem like swimming season, but by the end of this year, members of the Northwest YMCA in Cupertino will have an indoor aquatic center to enjoy year-round. Through the Invest in Youth ... Build Community campaign, the Northwest YMCA has managed to raise over $3 million to build the new aquatic center and a new aerobics room, according to Liz Gallegos, Executive Director of the Northwest Y.

The Northwest branch of the YMCA serves the communities of Cupertino and Sunnyvale, which includes more than 150,000 residents. Gallegos said the new aquatic center will benefit everyone, from children to seniors. The pool will be heated and include a slide and a mushroom-shaped fountain.

Aquatics programs scheduled to begin once the center is open include preschool and youth aquatic programs, a junior lifeguarding program, prenatal/postpartum aqua fitness classes, family recreation swim class, senior aqua fitness classes, adult swim lessons and physability programs, among others.

"The Y is a place that brings people together, and the pool is more of an opportunity to bring people together, which strengthens families and the community," Gallegos said.

Greg Jow, board chair for the Northwest Y, said the fundraising process began about three years ago. Jow said a survey was taken of community members regarding whether or not they felt an aquatic center was necessary at the Y. After receiving positive feedback, a committee was formed to talk to potential donors.

"We targeted people who we felt could donate," Jow said. "It was mostly private individuals with a high net worth."

Jow said most of the money came from members of the community, and the top five donors were individuals.

The original goal was to raise $1.2 million for the project, but as the construction progressed, Gallegos said, the total they need to finish without going further into debt is now close to $4 million. Gallegos said the YMCA needs approximately $300 thousand more to complete the aquatic center and aerobics facility. However, Jow emphasized that the project will be completed regardless of where the money comes from.

"The project will go on no matter what," Jow said. "Our first choice is to raise donations, so we don't have to use funds that are used for something else, such as helping low-income families become members of the Y."

Jow said organizers are in the process of forming a new group to raise the rest of the money. He said they would try to target people who haven't donated. Jow said they have had lots of help from the community leaders.

Some of the major corporate sponsors include the Cupertino National Bank, the Northwest Y Service Club, the Greater Bay Bancorp., the Packard Foundation, the San Jose Mercury News, BankAmerica Foundation, The Valley Foundation and the City of San Jose, CDBG.

The grand opening and donor recognition event is scheduled to take place on Nov. 30, followed by a community open house in December.

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