The planned YMCA facility in Ridgefield is getting closer to its groundbreaking, according to an update on the project presented at the Jan. 27 city council workshop meeting.
The facility will be constructed on North 50th Place off of Pioneer Street and the current plan includes a 38,000-square-foot space for the organization, which will include fitness facilities, a basketball gym and a two-pool setup, according to design documents.
The project came to fruition through a partnership with the city, the YMCA of Columbia-Wilamette and private developer Blue Rock Ventures. The site plan funding was approved by the city in June, the bulk of which was awarded by the state.
Blue Rock Ventures Founder and Chairman Dirgesh Patel said most of the work has centered around the building’s size to avoid requiring expansions in the future and also to accommodate businesses that may take up residence in the building.
“It’s been a busy seven months and finally we are at a point now where it makes sense to present to the city council,” Patel said.
Though the current plan is for a smaller facility than the initially-planned 54,000-square-foot building, Patel said there’s a potential for a larger footprint depending on other potential businesses that might get involved at the site. The decrease in square footage for the YMCA facility would drop the cost closer to the $15-16 million range, though with tenants moving in Patel said the price will still land in the $20 million range.
With the preliminary concept unveiled, Patel said development is “going full-throttle into design mode.” He mentioned the firms involved — Precision Construction and Johansson Wing Architects — have experience building YMCA facilities.
Patel said it is still feasible to meet the timeframe this year to break ground and open the facility the following year as long as development conditions remain largely the same.
Patel said having the facility in sight after the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic brought the need for the YMCA into greater focus.
“It is a community center. They’ve been looking for this, they’ve been dying for this,” Patel said. “Especially knowing what’s happened over the last 24 months, the timing could not be better.”
Former Ridgefield Mayor Don Stose agreed that city leaders have been anticipating a YMCA for years. A feasibility study in 2016 showed the city was a prime location for the second full-service branch of the organization in Clark County.
“It’s something that this council’s looked forward to for a long time,” Stose said.
Stose said Ridgefield’s ability to work with developers and other entities has helped it succeed in landing the branch.
“These days, if public entities don’t work with private partnerships, a lot doesn’t seem to be getting done,” Stose said.
Stose likened the partnership to the one between the city and FDM Development that brought Rosauers to Ridgefield in 2019.
With the pool open, Ridgefield High School will be able to bring back a swim team, Stose said, as the YMCA will have the only major pool in North Clark County.
“This YMCA is going to do so much for not only our community, but all the communities in North Clark County,” Stose said.
The presentation took place during Stose’s last meeting on the council. Although he’s already got plans to travel outside of the area with his wife in his retirement from public service, he’s still excited for what’s in store for Ridgefield, especially with the coming facility.
“I want to be one of the first that signs up for a membership,” Stose said.
