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West Chester could receive its first YMCA

July 9, 2013  |  West Chester could receive its first YMCA

The largest township in Ohio could finally be getting its first YMCA.

The Lakota Family YMCA, which has a location in Liberty Township, proposed that the new Y be built in the heart of West Chester Township, near the corner of Union Centre Boulevard and Beckett Road.

The West Chester YMCA will take up 10 acres of land and include a two-story, 100,000 square-foot building, and a 65,000 square-foot pool and deck area, as well as an athletic field.

However, before those plans lead to a ground breaking, the West Chester Board of Trustees will have to approve a major change to the township’s land use plan. Currently, the land for the planned YMCA is designated as residential. In order for the YMCA to be there, which is straddled by Beckett Park and the West Chester Baseball Complex, the land will have to be changed to a planned unit development.

The change is scheduled to be reviewed by the West Chester Zoning Commission on Monday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. The commission will then vote to recommend the approval or denial of the land use change to the board of trustees.

Trustees will then hold a public hearing for the final vote and decision. That hearing could take place in August.

The Lakota Family YMCA, 6703 Yankee Road in Liberty Township, resides on 11.5 acres of land. The facility includes a collegiate gymnasium, two racquetball courts, an aerobics and fitness room, 45′ outdoor climbing wall, 25′ indoor climbing wall, Crayon Club Child Care center, outdoor play land and sport court, combined cardio/weight rooms, a large zero depth entry outdoor pool, competitive indoor pool in addition to a junior pool and a nursery.

According to the 2010 census, Liberty Township is the 18th most populated township in Ohio with 37,259 residents, while West Chester is home to 60,958 people.