West Renovation

April 9, 2026 - West Family YMCA Renovation Update

We’re excited to share an important update on improvements coming to the West Family YMCA.

As part of the YMCA of Broome County’s long-term strategic plan, our Board of Directors has made the decision to focus the West Family YMCA on strengthening programs and community engagement. These renovations are an important step in ensuring this branch continues to serve our community for years to come.

The West Family branch has a long history in our community. Originally a school building, it was purchased by the Y in 1987 and has been expanded and updated over time to become the facility we know today.

This next phase of improvements builds on recent investments at the branch, including a fully renovated fitness center with all new equipment and the creation of the family focused Discovery Den, both completed within the last year.

Project Overview

We are investing over $3 million into the West Family YMCA, with funding fully supported through grants and community partnerships.

This includes funding from New York State initiatives (NYSWIMS and NYBRICKS), along with generous support from the Decker Foundation and Klee Foundation, and additional support from YMCA of the USA.

We are incredibly grateful to these partners for their investment in our community and their commitment to strengthening the West Family YMCA for generations to come.

At this time, all funding has been awarded, and we are awaiting final authorization from DASNY to begin construction.

Timeline

Our tentative construction window is May through November, though timing may shift depending on when we receive final approval.

We will share updates as soon as we receive the official green light to begin.

What’s Being Improved

This project will include upgrades throughout the entire facility, including:

• Covered entranceway
• Lobby and restroom renovations
• Updated ceilings and lighting
• Outdoor playground and new pickleball courts
• Major building systems (HVAC, boilers, water heaters)
• Full roof replacement
• Parking lot replacement with lights
• Pool area renovation and mechanical upgrades
• Complete locker room renovation
• Gym divider curtain replacement
• New indoor and outdoor signage
• Multiple other miscellaneous improvements

What to Expect

We will do our best to minimize disruptions, but there will be some temporary impacts to programming and facility access during construction. We will do our best to give plenty of advance notice, but we appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete this work.

The end result will be a safer, more modern, and more welcoming space for our members and community.

Looking Ahead

One of the first planned improvements is the outdoor playground and pickleball courts, allowing members and families to enjoy these spaces as early as possible during the summer months.

These upgrades reflect our continued commitment to providing accessible, high-quality programs and spaces that support healthy living and community connection.

We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.

 

March 5, 2026 - The YMCA of Broome County has received $1.41 million in New York State funding to support major upgrades at its West Family Branch in Johnson City, improving the YMCA’s ability to continue its mission of strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The funding, awarded through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York’s NY BRICKS program, will help modernize the facility while expanding opportunities for recreation, connection, and community programming.

State and local leaders joined YMCA staff and community members at the Johnson City branch Tuesday to celebrate the investment and highlight the important role community centers play in supporting families, youth, and seniors across the region, which is the focus of the NY BRICKS program.

The funding will support several critical upgrades to the West Family Branch, including a new roof, updated HVAC system, parking lot renovations, enhanced outdoor lighting, and improvements to the facility’s lobby. Plans also include upgrades to the branch’s outdoor activity space, including the addition of pickleball courts and expanded recreational areas designed for multigenerational use.

“These improvements will allow us to continue serving our community while also reimagining how our space can meet evolving needs,” said Gareth Sansom, CEO of the YMCA of Broome County. “This investment ensures that children have places to learn and grow, families have opportunities to connect, and people of all ages can stay active and engaged.”

“It's about the community,” said Robert J. Rodriguez, President and CEO of DASNY. “It’s about supporting families and making sure we are investing in spaces that strengthen the communities they call home.”

Several state and local officials attended the announcement, including State Senator Lea Webb, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, and Johnson City Mayor Christina Charuk, all of whom spoke about the importance of investing in spaces that bring communities together.

“Community centers are more than just buildings,” said State Senator Lea Webb. “They are places where health, connection, and opportunity come together.”

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo noted that investments like this help turn community aspirations into reality.

“We see these investments in the budget, but what’s behind them are the stories, the aspirations for these places, and the dreams that become possible because of them,” Lupardo said.

The project is part of more than $10 million in NY BRICKS funding awarded across the Southern Tier, supporting improvements to community facilities in Johnson City, Elmira, and Ithaca.

While construction may bring some temporary disruptions to the facility, YMCA leaders say the improvements will help ensure the West Family Branch continues to serve as a hub for youth development, healthy living, and community connection for years to come.

 

October 8, 2025 - 

On September 3rd as part of his annual statewide tour, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo visited the West Family Branch in Johnson City to announce a $1.2 million grant earmarked for a comprehensive renovation of the facility's pool, locker rooms, and shower areas.

Planned Renovations Will Include:

· Replacement of the pool's mechanical systems and filtration system

· Improvements to enhance the overall appearance of the area

· Renovation of locker rooms and showers

Heastie emphasized that this investment demonstrates the state's commitment to swimming safety, stating, “The YMCA plays such a vital role in communities, including providing swimming lessons for those who may not otherwise have access,” Heastie said in the announcement. “The funding Assembly member Lupardo and I announced today will ensure that the YMCA can continue to operate their remaining pool, offering swimming lessons – a lifelong and lifesaving skill – and other pool activities for families.”

The pool serves thousands of individuals each year, providing swimming lessons, open and lap exercise swim times, aqua therapy, along with various aqua exercise classes. YMCA of Broome County Executive Director Gareth Sansom noted a rise in pool usage, especially since the closure of the downtown Binghamton facility's pool, which is in the process of being repurposed to provide additional housing for the unhoused.

Sansom referred to the pool as the “heartbeat” of the West Family Branch, explaining, “The mechanics of the pool have been deteriorating since they were installed in 1987. While we undertook renovations in the early 2000s, they have now reached the end of their useful life. As a result, we struggle to maintain the pool's temperature, chemical balance, and air quality, which ultimately impacts our ability to deliver quality service.”

Sansom views this renovation as the first step in a comprehensive overhaul of the Johnson City facility. He is actively pursuing additional state funding and support from local foundations to enhance various aspects of the facility including the lobby, parking lot and outdoor playground.