Suns and Mercury plan new $60M downtown Phoenix YMCA
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The shuttered Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA building on First Avenue. Photo: Jeremy Duda/Axios
The Phoenix Suns and Mercury plan to help build a $60 million YMCA building in downtown Phoenix, replacing the historic facility that closed last month.
Why it matters: The Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA was a community institution and its closure displaced hundreds of low-income residents.
State of play: The Suns, Mercury and Valley of the Sun YMCA on Monday announced plans for a new jointly funded building that will "bring together the power of sports, community programming and family support under one roof."
- The 55,000-square-foot, three-story building will feature three basketball courts — one NBA-sized and the other two high school-sized — that can be used for camps, clinics, tournaments and other youth sports opportunities.
- It will also provide tutoring, internships, on-site counselors and coaches, training and career development programs, nutrition classes and a full-service cafe.
- And VanTrust Real Estate plans to develop about 60 affordable housing units in an additional three stories above the center.
What they're saying: "This is more than a building — it's an investment in our community and its future. It's a place where kids can discover their potential, families can build meaningful connections and everyone can come together, support one another, and grow," Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia said in the press announcement.
- After 134 years of service in the Phoenix area, Valley of the Sun YMCA is "reimagining the downtown YMCA to create a place where youth and families can connect, grow and thrive for generations to come," president and CEO Bryan Madden said.
Flashback: The Valley of the Sun YMCA was established in 1892, and the recently closed downtown building opened in 1952.
- The YMCA plans to demolish the building and the new facility will be built on the same site.
What's next: The YMCA, Suns and Mercury plan to break ground on Feb. 18, 2027, during NBA All-Star Week in Phoenix, and the new building is expected to be completed in 2029.