Southwest YMCA gets makeover

OAK HILL (KXAN) - Austin's Southwest YMCA cut the ribbon on a multi-million-dollar makeover Monday.

The facilty has served the Oak Hill area for nearly 20 years. Administrators there say a wealthy benefactor helped fund a $5.4 million dollar renovation.
 

The upgrades include expanded fitness and cardio areas as well as yoga and spinning studios, a new gymnasium, community meeting rooms, a kitchen, and a lounge. Two new outdoor pools have also been added, including a six-lane lap pool and an aquatic playscape.

Phase I of the project opened Monday, that new Aquatics Complex & Fitness Center.

Families celebrated with a Labor Day Splash Bash at both of those new pools.

Local architects STG Design say they wanted to accentuate the natural beauty of the landscape surrounding the 8-acre complex.

YMCA leaders believe it will make their well-used facility even more popular.
 

"This building is going to give us opportunity not just to serve more people in our community, but to serve you in a more meaningful way," said executive director Kim Yeakey.  "So today is about you, its about the celebration and its about what we are going to do going forward."
 

Phase II of the renovation project is scheduled for completion in December. It includes an expanded Child Watch area, and expanded locker rooms.