The long-anticipated Lakeland YMCA Community Center took a major step forward this week, receiving final site plan and rendering approval from the Lakeland Municipal Planning and Design Review Commission. The new facility will be built on the former Econo Lodge Hotel site off Beverly Riviera Road near I-40. Under the terms of the agreement, the YMCA will manage the facility and be responsible for maintenance and repairs, similar to the city’s firehouse agreement. Lakeland will own the building, but the YMCA will handle day-to-day operations, including upkeep within certain limits.
Presented to the commission on June 12, 2025, the updated design reflects several months of refinement based on feedback from the Parks Board, City staff, and Lakeland residents. The result is a thoughtfully planned community center tailored to meet the needs of a growing and active community. The projected cost for the project is $21.3 million. The YMCA will contribute $4.8 million, with the remainder funded through an anticipated Department of Human Services (DHS) grant for the early learning center and an $11 million USDA loan, which was successfully used to fund the construction of Lakeland Prep. The project is also backed by a Gateway Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan, which allows the city to capture funds from nearby developments, such as Ashmont, to help finance the center.
The 45,000-square-foot facility will feature a full basketball gymnasium, modern indoor and outdoor fitness areas, an early learning childcare center with a dedicated drop-off lane, and an eight-lane outdoor swimming pool. In addition to the core amenities, the site includes a large greenspace on the east side of the property, which may serve as the location for a future aquatic facility expansion.
To enhance the site’s aesthetics and privacy, City staff requested additional landscaping to buffer the pool area and help soften the appearance of the brick and metal exterior. The design team from 4F Design emphasized that the facility will be well-lit to ensure safety and allow for nighttime swimming.
Commissioner Jim Atkinson, who serves as the Board of Commissioners’ representative on the Planning and Design Review Commission, noted that the project is moving quickly. “Construction documents should be going out for bid soon,” Atkinson said.
Mayor Josh Roman confirmed to Lakeland Currents that the city is on track to begin construction later this year. “The BOC has already approved the financing, so we’re simply waiting on the funding check to break ground,” said Roman.
Once completed, the Lakeland YMCA Community Center is expected to be a hub for recreation, wellness, and family programming for residents across the area.
