New 63,000-Square-Foot Facility Will Expand Health, Fitness, and Community Programming as Flushing Y Celebrates 100 Years of Serving Queens

The YMCA of Greater New York today broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art Bong and May Yu Family YMCA in Flushing, marking a major milestone in the Y’s century-long history of serving the Queens community and paving the way for an expanded facility that will provide health, fitness, and community programming for New Yorkers of all ages.

Already the most visited YMCA branch in New York City, the new 63,000-square-foot facility, located just 1.5 blocks from the current Flushing Y and closer to the heart of downtown Flushing, will expand the Y’s ability to meet the needs of one of New York City’s densest and most diverse neighborhoods. Shaped by input from Flushing Y members, staff, and local residents, the new branch will build on 100 years of service as the Flushing Y celebrates its centennial and looks ahead to its next century of impact.

Among the features planned for the new Yu Family Y are:

• An eight-lane, 25-yard swimming pool, which will be the largest pool of any YMCA branch in New York City;
• A high school regulation-sized gymnasium, 40 percent larger than the current Flushing Y gym, creating more space for recreation, classes, camp and afterschool programming;
• Exercise studios and multipurpose rooms supporting a range of activities and programming; and
• Dedicated space for the Y’s New Americans Initiative and youth programs.

“Strong communities need vibrant spaces where people can come together and feel a true sense of belonging,” said Sharon Greenberger, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “Today’s groundbreaking marks an exciting milestone for the Queens community and brings us one step closer to opening a brand-new YMCA that will serve generations of New Yorkers. As the Flushing Y celebrates its centennial this year, we’re proud to build on 100 years of service with this transformative new facility designed to meet the evolving needs of our community and create even more opportunities for New Yorkers to thrive.”

The new Yu Family YMCA will anchor Flushing Commons Phase II, a major mixed-use development led by F&T Group in partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation on the site of a parking lot bounded by 37th and 39th Avenues and 137th Street. The broader redevelopment will bring approximately 1.3 acres of publicly accessible open space, as well as housing, office space, retail and dining, to downtown Flushing, creating a vibrant neighborhood destination centered around community, recreation, and walkability.

“Flushing has always been a neighborhood with tremendous energy, opportunity and potential, and we are proud to play a role in its continued evolution,” said Helen Lee, Executive Vice President of F&T Group. “Flushing Commons Phase II is the next chapter in that vision, and we have an opportunity to create an address of lasting significance, with new experiences, amenities and public spaces that will serve the community for generations. We look forward to bringing that vision to life and once again showing why Flushing should never be overlooked.”

The new Yu Family Y is being made possible through a combination public and private support, including federal, state and City funding secured by U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng, Assemblymember Ron Kim, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Councilmember Sandra Ung, as well as contributions from YMCA of Greater New York Board Chair Raymond Yu and the Yu family, Delta Air Lines, and The Clark Foundation.

For 100 years, the Flushing Y has grown alongside the neighborhood, adapting to meet the needs of generations of Queens residents. This groundbreaking marks the beginning of the Flushing Y’s next century of service and a continued commitment to the community.