Coney Island’s under-construction YMCA will open its doors in the fall of 2013.
The sports and community center rising on Surf Avenue at W. 29th Street is on schedule to open by the start of the next school year, according to neighborhood boosters who gathered at the legendary People’s Playground restaurant Gargiulo’s last week to drum up excitement for the $16-million project.
“We are getting closer to realizing our vision for a state-of-the-art YMCA,” said Jack Lund, the president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater of New York. “It’s our hope that the new Y becomes a one-stop destination for Coney Islanders to get fit, healthy, and most of all, connected with their neighbors.”
The two-story building will feature a gym, pool, yoga studios, and space for art classes, community meetings and other events. The YMCA will anchor a complex called Coney Island Commons that will include two apartment towers with 196 rental units — 75 percent of which will be set aside for low and middle-income families — and a 80-space parking lot.
The mixed-use development is part of the city’s larger effort to transform the area into a year-round tourist destination with hotels, new amusement rides and up to 5,000 apartments for residents that officials say will create thousands of permanent jobs — including approximately 100 full-time positions at the YMCA.
“The new YMCA in Coney Island Commons will provide a much-needed recreational and community facility as well as 100 jobs,” said Councilman Domenic Recchia (D–Coney Island).
Reach reporter Daniel Bush at dbush@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-8310. Follow him at twitter.com/dan_bush.
