YMCA reopens Escondido campus with new business model
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The branch is reopening with new services and swim program for local students. Photo: Courtesy of the Escondido YMCA
The Escondido YMCA's sprawling campus is reopening with a unique business model since much of it has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why it matters: With this revamped facility, the YMCA of San Diego County is executing its grand vision to run centers for community well-being focused on youth development, rather than the typical gyms and pools.
Catch up quick: The Escondido campus, formerly Palomar YMCA, had been losing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for about a decade before bigger financial and membership losses during the pandemic forced its closure.
- The popular gymnastics center and Lincoln Apartments for youth experiencing homelessness remained open, but two other buildings have sat vacant for years.
- There were failed attempts to sell the property in 2021, but then YMCA leaders found a way to maintain operations with the help of the local school district.
Driving the news: The organization sought out local partners to meet what they identified as Escondido's top needs: access to quality health care, postsecondary education to career pathways and youth engagement, according to Todd Tibbits, who became president and CEO of the county Y in 2021.
- "We believe we now have a sustainable business model and we're going to have more impact at this location than the Y has ever had," he said.
- Ron Lelakes was appointed as the new executive director at the Escondido campus in January.
Between the lines: Unlike other local YMCAs, this facility won't have a gym and is operating through community partnerships rather than revenue being driven by memberships.
- The Escondido Union School District is the financial anchor and primary "customer" base, with National University and Neighborhood Healthcare also leasing space on the property.
- Over the next year, they plan to offer services and programs, including youth sports and learning activities, child care, postsecondary education and career development and a medical and dental clinic.
- They'll primarily serve Escondido students, then expand access to community members.
Zoom in: The EUSD board voted in January to refurbish and reopen the pool — a $1.2 million project — to provide swim and water safety lessons for its 16,000 students.
- The plan is to bus students in from different schools to exclusively use the space during the school day for programs and swim lessons.
- Renovations started this week and the pool is expected to open by June.
The big picture: The San Diego County YMCA recently rebranded and is transitioning its 15 branches from local gyms to centers of community well-being.
- The Escondido location serves as a model for other San Diego County facilities to replicate with partnerships based on the needs of their individual communities and existing space, Tibbits said.
What's next: The YMCA will host community listening sessions in Escondido starting this spring to get feedback on services and programs through surveys, interviews and meetings.