The YMCA of Greater Houston announced March 13 the purchase of 6.58 acres of property in Katy for the construction of the city's second YMCA location.
The new building, which is still in the design phase, will be located in the Katy Main Street development west of Pin Oak Road, near Kingsland Boulevard.

Katy YMCA district vice president Brian Haines said he expects to break ground on the new facility late this year or early next year.

"We're still in the process of finalizing the building plans, but we hope to break ground sometime between October 2015 and January 2016," Haines said. "Depending on when construction ultimately begins the building could be complete as early as late 2016 or as late as 2017."

Designs for the building are expected to be completed by April, but until then the size and cost of the building are unknown, Haines said.

"Some of the cost of the building will be funded internally through our reserves, but we will launch a capital campaign to raise funds to help offset the costs," said Haines.

The capital campaign to raise funds for the construction of the building will be launched in mid-2015, Haines said.

Once complete, the building is expected to include amenities, such as weight and cardio exercise rooms, a swimming pool and multipurpose rooms. Haines said the construction of a second YMCA location in Katy is necessary to keep up with the city's growth.

"We just need to have another recreation and wellness facility that can serve the growing [population]," Haines said. "Katy has grown to the point where our current location can be crowded at times. We tried to determine if we should expand that location or build a second location, and a second facility was a better option to serve existing members as well as to serve a part of Katy that is underserved by our facilities."

Tony Maxwell, president and CEO of WoodCreek Reserve Development Co., said the second YMCA location will bring added benefits to his development, which is located nearby.

"The Y will be a valuable asset, along with the existing retail, in attracting future transactions that will only enhance this master-planned project," Maxwell said in a released statement.

"We are pleased to be planning for the expansion of services to the greater Katy community with this Katy Main Street location," Katy Family YMCA board member Leonard Merrell said. "For the last 129 years the YMCA's mission, unlike any other organization, focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This Katy Main Street YMCA will be dedicated to this purpose."

The Katy Family YMCA's current Katy location, at 22807 Westheimer Parkway, serves more than 50,000 residents annually. The facility offers after-school child care, summer day camps, year-round swimming lessons, youth sports activities and other health and wellness services.