A long-awaited YMCA in Palm Coast’s Town Center will be an arrestingly built 44,000 square-foot, two-level facility with a wellness center, a spin room, a fitness room, a gym with three volleyball courts and an outdoor Olympic swimming pool, among other amenities.
The swimming pool will have 18 to 21 lanes and a zero-entry section allowing for a sloped walk into the water, without stairs or ladders. The indoor facility will include a child care center.
The plans are brimming, and the YMCA is “ready to get started right away,” Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said, with construction not necessarily waiting to have all fundraising sums in hand.
The facility would be built off Central Avenue on 12 acres adjacent to what used to be the grounds of the Palm Coast Arts Foundation. The city is operating the stage there for special events.
As designed, the building’s cantilevered and battered-glass architecture projects a sleek, self-assured airiness that blurs the line between indoor and outdoor. Wing-like white roofs make the building seem as if it is gliding into its Town Center environment rather than towering over it like the Promenade development down the road. But both buildings will lift Town Center’s profile and add aesthetic rewards to their community benefits.
The Palm Coast City Council will get the long-awaited reveal in a presentation by city and YMCA staff at a workshop Tuesday. The city will also be asked to chip in some money.
“They’ll have an ask from the city, and then they’ll do a fundraising campaign,” Johnston said, with that ask estimated to be around $3 million, though the source doesn’t have to be the city alone, especially since the school district and the county have been looking for a YMCA to offer amenities they do not. The city is already donating the land–a substantial gift of prime real estate near booming surroundings that would .
“Part of the sell to a fundraising to make sure it’s actually happening is having community support,” Johnston said. “So is the city invested in having this? If so, is there a contribution? Is the school district invested in having this? If so, is there a contribution? Is the county invested in doing this? And if so, is there a contribution.”
The Flagler County School Board last year closed traditional public access to its Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club, reserving it for students, with hopes that an eventual YMCA would fill the greater need. It has never indicated that it would consider making contributions either to help underwrite a YMCA or to help the city defray its costs at the Aquatic Center, also known as Frieda Zamba pool.
The YMCA organization is not coming empty-handed. The Volusia-Flagler YMCA in 2023 had sought $3 million in state appropriations, with $1 million of that earmarked for the Palm Coast project. It received $5 million. In 2024, Palm Coast had high hopes for an additional $6 million exclusively for the Palm Coast project. The Legislature appropriated it. Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it. But a separate $3 million appropriation went to the Volusia-Flagler YMCA.
The organization would have a local board that will lead the fundraising. It plans to “run the fundraiser and construction process simultaneously,” Johnston said. “They want to break ground, use some of their appropriation money on design and permitting, and they they want to get started right away.”
The Volusia-Flagler YMCA runs six facilities and a camp, all in Volusia County, with over 37,000 members and 50,000 participants, on a $12.9 million budget. It last operated a YMCA in Palm Coast in 2011, at what was then known as Florida Hospital Flagler. That facility closed 14 years ago, after nearly 10 years at the hospital. There never was a swimming pool. The YMCA has sought to open a stand-alone facility here since.
Council members will discuss the YMC in conjunction with the city-owned Aquatic Center, which, in Johnston’s understated words, “needs a lot of love.” In other words its 25-meter pool with eight lanes and surrounding tennis courts and facilities need substantial repairs and upgrades.
The YMCA has indicated that if the city wanted it to manage the pool, it would do so, Johnston said. But the council must decide where the Acquatic Center fits in if and when the YMCA opens, and if it’s worth continuing to spend money there. “Do we want to put the money into the facility? Should it be repurposed once the new Olympic-size pool is built?” Johnston said. “Those are all questions for city council to answer and decide based off of what the public wants in our community.”
TRUTH says
BUILD THE POOL with the Y, Palm Coasters deserve it and need it, much better idea
then the county’s idea of the “speculative” 180 million dollar sports complex.
Also we don’t have to cross the bridge anymore to go to the beach as this gives Palm
Coasters more flexablity for choices especially since there is going to be so much
more traffic going into Flagler Beach with all the new home builds and hotels . Let’s
make our own little paradise giving the people of PC amenities that they well deserve
and for their families to enjoy in the future.
Pig Farmer says
We can’t fix our roads, we can’t fix our sewer plants, we are running out of water, but hey, we need a fancy swooping building! Just proving the basic infrastructure is boring!
What the heck is WRONG with our “leadership “?
JimboXYZ says
Nice facility, why did the last YMCA fail ? Palm Coast is building athletic fields & whatever else for an aging population really. Why haven’t school enrollments increased ? That was the dire predictions of the models. 4 years ago. And the pools already in existence, lose money, idle & underutilized. More fiscally irresponsible projects for Vision/Imagination of 2050. If the YMCA goes as planned, the rest of those properties need to be released back for residential tax base.
YankeeExPat says
In other words say goodbye to the Aquatic Center ( Frieda Zamba pool )
The writing was on the wall when the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club was closed to public use.
Theresa Lostaglio says
Hopefully they will have good handi-cap services for the pool.
Drew Luther says
This is great. How can we add a hockey rink to this project? Perfect opportunity for Flagler county to finally add an ice rink to their portfolio. The county desperately needs one, and a YMCA is a great fit for our first rink.
How can we get this done?!
Cindy Jameson says
When they say hoping for community support for fundraising are they asking the residents for funds? I sure hope not. In the past two days I have read $6.67 million for Whiteview Parkway and now $3 million for a YMCA????? That’s close to $10 million that could go towards the real problem we have our WATER TREATMENT PLANT. You know what I think and it’s only my thoughts that the city has money for the plant but wants to use it on other projects that do not fix the problems we have. And why a 18 to 21 lane pool?????
Atwp says
Who will pay for it, who will benefit from it?
celia pugliese says
When in a past Council meeting few months ago the YMCA was presented was without a pool…then we rejected it. Given our opposition because the lack of pool, Mr. DeLorenzo approached me and told me “the pool will come later”. Sorry I still do not trust promises in Palm Coast: example the completion of desperately needed widening of north OKR now over scheduled by the 7.9 millions for the destruction and rebuilding of our beautiful Whiteview Pkwy! This Y pool needs to be in place at ribbon cutting as requirement or should be a NO. Also with the history of the past YMCA formerly located at the hospital and closing doors after a number of years, should be a clause that our valuable land, to be provided to them in Town Center should revert back to the public ownership us, aka city of Palm Coast! Enough that in case of failure we will loose the millions provided to their benefit. I see a trap already and hoping to be wrong. We need desperatly a pool now this summer, denied to 1078 paying members by the totalitatian decision of the past school board. When this issue will be resolved? Will the new Y pool be open this summer? Not everyone can afford a house pool…so those kids loitering from the families denied the use of the Belle Terre Swin Club pool, other than doing a healthy activity, do not matter to the school board, county and city? Maybe will matter to the sheriff when called on bored youngsters negative passtimes in our long scortching summer? Maybe we can get Mr Staly on board to recover the use of that pool as the excuse was a $50,000 arguable budget shortfall. Jeez, when city, county and school annual budgets run about and over 400,000 millions a year?
FlaPharmTech says
Perhaps PC should get the wastewater system fixed first?!
Pete Raam says
Just don’t make this another Holland Park type project! It’s a shame how much money was spent on that beautiful and very important city amenity. YMCA and thus many different types of meets and sporting events will no doubt boost our economy as well.
Carol says
I am not the slightest bit interested.
Irked says
How about we fund street resurfacing first?
L Giorno says
This is such a much needed facility!!! We loved our YMCA in SC and have been praying for one to open in Flagler Beach/ Palm Coast !!!
We support any fundraising efforts and hope our local government will support their efforts to the fullest extent possible.
YMCA fitness, pools , family sports and rec programs as well as community involvement are a blessing to any town . We can’t wait to join!!!
Please keep us updated on how local residents can help get this done!!!
Worrisome says
Too many RED flags. Going to begin construction before fund raising. Hope the town will give. They are giving the land for free. Enough of this irresponsible behavior!!!
Beached Whale Watcher says
Mission statement:
“The YMCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities and promoting healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. It operates through various programs and services aimed at improving the well-being of individuals and families.”
So why in the world would any sensible, caring, living being have a problem with Palm Coast getting one? Perhaps an angry booger eating MAGA would have a problem (whom permiate and infect throughout our otherwise peaceful northeast Florida communities), but that should surprise no one.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Welcome to P/C….Where shit happens that nobody wants! Where traffic snarls the roadways of P/C! Where they build homes nobody wants….Nobody buys, YET, they keep building them. I hope they all go belly up, I hope they have to sit on these emptey for ever! This is the start, of bad times. Its all got to come to a head. We have to squeeze the head of this pimple, to get the PUSS OUT!
Brad W says
Although I think this would be good for the community, YMCA is a private organization that charges for it’s programming and facility usage and tax dollars should not be used to fund the operations of a private organization. That is a slippery slope. Sure, donate the land to them but they should be responsible for raising the $3M needed.
Sandy says
I am so thankful this is coming, however this area is going to become so congested. ,I don’t agree this is the best place, in Town Center unless its away from the apartments and homes. This area gets congested in mornings,
afternoons when school is in session and when they have events going on. We need a spot that is not within this community back here. It needs a open space. I am so for it ,I drive to Ormond YMCA all the time it’s hectic with traffic. Definitely need the pool with the YMCA,
Also the YMCA in Ormond is small with that being said I think with all the residents in Palm Coast we definitely need double or triple the size of Ormond. Younger and older generations are going to enjoy the amenities.
Eddie Jensen says
Great news. Town Center needs to be energized. One wall handball courts would be great. There are many Palm Coasters who drive to DeLand or Ormond to play. The city was considerate to paint lines on the wall at Frieda Zamba: creating an improvised court. So many people play there that each game is shortened and 4 off and 4 on. Even only 2 courts at City Center would be thrilling to many. Those courts would very quickly be used everyday and all day and night. It’s a great sport. Handball is particularly attractive to those who cannot afford the equipment required for tennis or pickleball. Only requiring a handball or a racquetball. This aspect draws in young people; who don’t have much to do around here. Two courts only require a concrete wall on a concrete slab and a fence around the slab. Again: this would certainly contribute greatly to the entertainment of our youth. So many parents have been asking for years;”What can my kids do around here”; handball is the answer. Requires no money. It forms a great bond between kids. Let’s get them off their phones.
Purveyor of Truth says
The city has interesting priorities.
Sharon Genua says
The pool needs to be indoors so not to be closed half the year. Accessible 365 days.
Jack Slavutsky says
Finally we will have nice pool and no school board will close any access to pool as they did with Belle Terry swimming pool. I was a member of that pool for 15 years and I am almost 82 years old. I want YMCA in our beautiful Palm Coast. Thank you Flagler, way to go! All seniors please support YMCA in Palm Coast
Jack Slavutsky says
Please do not forget to include Sauna in New YMCA. It is very beneficial for all ages. Keep Pap. Coast residents healthy.
Cindy Jameson says
I would like to know if the folks in this conversation are rich enough to start paying my utility bill. Let’s get the priorities straight here. I can’t believe I’m reading wish lists for a freaking YMCA. WATER TREATMENT PLANT FIRST PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then roads. So yeah YMCA last on the list. Hand ball walls, saunas are you kidding me? But who cares, you can use the YMCA all day and all night and not use any of your electricity or water. If I were a parent I would be asking what is there for my kid(s) to do in Palm Coast BEFORE I moved to Palm Coast. I’m sure the kids in Palm Coast or in any other City that chances are their parents are working during the day so how will these kids get to the YMCA? On bikes with no regard to the car traffic or will the City hire a bus diver to take all the kids who live here to the YMCA? I’m sorry if I seem mean about this I’m just frustrated that I’m going to pay a $200 water bill and the city is spending money on a YMCA. We need every penny we can get to fix our problem and Hurricane season is upon us. When we get our first hurricane of the season and the city tells you NOT to flush your toilet trust me your house will smell like a YMCA and you will be reminded of that every single month.
Ja k Slavutsky says
Dear Cindy Jameson, I better pay my utility bills instead of hospital bills
Dawn Smith says
Instead of a YMCA (Pool). Flagler County should make better traffic patterns, widen roads. Oh yeah what’s with the blinking left turn caution lights, mid day traffic? After all there’s a big ocean off of A1A. Not even an hour away.