Studer Community Institute

Switzer family gives $500,000 toward downtown YMCA

March 4, 2015
/ Shannon Nickinson
/ community-dashboard

The Switzer family has committed $500,000 to the YMCA of Northwest Florida as part of the Y’s campaign to build a new, $16 million facility in downtown Pensacola. As longtime YMCA members and supporters, Bobby, Charlie and John Switzer understand the value that the Y brings to the community and the expanded opportunities this new facility promises. Their gift joins several recent high-profile donations toward the campaign to replace the aging, outdated YMCA on North Palafox Street. “Our family has a heart for children and families, and this project is a reflection of our interest in strengthening the next generation who will continue to make Pensacola a place where we all want to live,” John Switzer said. “We believe making this level of investment in a new Y is simply the right thing to do.” “By making this gift, our family challenges other local families to step up to the plate and contribute to the campaign to ensure that this facility will be a success." The Switzer family gift builds on the support that the family has provided to the Pensacola area and to the YMCA for many years. In the late 1990s, when the current downtown branch was suffering from years of deferred maintenance and a declining membership, the Switzers jump-started a campaign to update the building. “That campaign enabled us to revitalize a then 50-year-old building and squeeze a little more life out of it,” said CEO Michael Bodenhausen. But despite those renovations, he said, the current building has been labeled “structurally obsolete,” as it does not allow full access to individuals with special needs or mobility challenges. The new Y will be barrier-free, allowing members of all abilities full access. “This extremely generous gift from the Switzer family will continue their legacy for generations to come,” Bodenhausen said. John Switzer said while the scale of the project overall is impressive, "we're most excited about the new pool. “In a community surrounded by water, every child should learn how to swim, plus the new Y’s pool will offer recreation for families, exercise for seniors, lap swimming, and a place for for rehab – all under one roof.” The new Y will be built at the corner of Tarragona and Intendencia streets, property that is now a parking lot. Northwest Florida is served by the Downtown, Northeast, and Pullum Branches of the Y. Annually, the local Y reaches more than 12,000 children and adults in wellness, childcare, sports, camp, aquatics and community outreach programs.

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Switzer family gives $500,000 toward downtown YMCA

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