New YMCA Planned for Bethel Park

Fundraising has begun for a new YMCA in nearby Bethel Park, and construction is expected to start in the spring of 2015.

The 72,000-square-foot facility will replace Bladerunners at 305 Church Rd. 

Once construction is complete, the South Hills YMCA property in Upper St. Clair Township will go up for sale, and employees will move to the Bethel Park facility, which will be called Spencer Family YMCA.

The $10-million facility will keep one of Bladerunners' ice rinks and try to keep ice rink happenings as consistent as they have been in the past.

There will also be an aquatics center at the new YMCA with an indoor recreation pool and a six-lane pool, as well as possibly an outdoor pool. Rig Riggins, the CEO of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, said that his organization is still examining the feasibility of an outdoor pool on that site.

The building will have a full gymnasium, a teen center, a child care center and a large wellness center that would accommodate group exercise.

The YMCA would also become the new home of Camp AIM and other programs for children that already exist at the Upper St. Clair facility.

Riggins said that he thinks that the Bethel Park facility will attract about 2,700 families and require the hiring of about 75 new employees.

Those interested in helping to fundraise for the new YMCA are asked to contact South Hills YMCA Director Jeff Campbell at 412-833-5600.

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