Groundbreaking Celebration at the Peninsula Family YMCA

 

 

 

The entire community is invited to attend the celebration at 4390 Valeta Street, adjacent to Correia Middle School, which will include a free poolside barbecue, community swim, bounce house, and surprises. The groundbreaking ceremony will include a special program to honor key project donors, City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer, School Board Member John de Beck, and other civic leaders.

The Ryan Family Charitable Foundation made a lead gift of $1 million to the YMCA in 2003 to begin the project. In 2007, the Haas Family announced a $500,000 gift to the project and over 100 major donors have contributed $4.4 million.

 

“The Ryan and Haas families have made a generous and lasting gift to our community and future generations. We appreciate their leadership and the financial support from the community that made our new YMCA possible,” said Byron and Bridget Wear, co-chairs of the YMCA capital campaign committee. Although the first two phases of the Capital Campaign are funded, YMCA volunteers are seeking an additional $1.3 million in community contributions in all levels to complete the $7.9 million project.

 

“The Ryan Family Charitable Foundation has long been interested in supporting the YMCA” states David Ryan, grandson of Claude Ryan, and member of the Peninsula Family YMCA Board of Management. “We believe in the core values of the YMCA and the services and support it provides, primarily to the youth of our community. We realize that there are many, less fortunate children that are lacking everything from positive role models to a safe, nurturing environment for recreational activities. We are grateful to be able to contribute to the renovation and expansion of the Peninsula Family YMCA, therefore facilitating greater service to our community.”

 

The new YMCA gymnasium will be named The Haas Family Gymnasium. Marcia Haas came to San Diego from Chicago with two small children in the 1970s as a single parent. Having a hard time getting a job, Marcia found herself on welfare as she struggled to make a better life for her family. "Welfare gives people hope… you don't have to wallow in it," Marcia said.

 

In 1973 Marcia obtained her real estate license while raising her children. Through hard work and perseverance, she built financial success. Having struggled through great hardship, Marcia recognizes the importance of helping others in need and giving back to the community. Marcia, and her son Michael, who serves on the YMCA Board of Management, are now pleased to be helping the YMCA build a gymnasium that will serve thousands of children and adults for many years to come. Marcia and Michael agree that "our community needs a YMCA that can meet its needs. Families have two parents working just to be able to afford to live in San Diego, and having the Y here with programs that are available through scholarships funded by community donations is an invaluable service to the community. It's positive and esteem-building."

 

Additionally, in December 2009, the North Bay Project Area Committee voted to recommend City Redevelopment Agency grants and loans totaling $2,158,000.

Phase I construction was completed in 2006 and included locker room renovations, a new therapy pool, poolside family picnic area, and landscape enhancements.

The Haas Family Gymnasium (Phase II) will expand YMCA programming and will serve as an extension of Correia Middle School during school hours for physical education classes and be used by the YMCA for basketball, gymnastics, and other programs at other times. Additionally, the school district will share some of their parking to create a unique community collaboration that helps our youth.

 

Phase III is expected to begin in early 2011 and will include a new two-story complex with group exercise studios, community meeting rooms, teen/senior technology lab, expanded lobby, and an expanded fitness and wellness center.

 

The Ryan Family has deep roots in San Diego and international aviation history. As a young entrepreneur, Claude Ryan started a flying school, built aircraft, and created the first passenger airline service in the Unites States between San Diego and Los Angeles. Ryan built the company that built the “Spirit of St. Louis”. The YMCA’s branch naming tribute in their honor leaves a lasting legacy to the community for future generations.