Ground breaking for Katy’s second YMCA held April 1

Brian Haines, vice president of operations for the YMCA of Greater Houston, said construction is expected to begin on the new facility in mid-April.

The facility will feature an outdoor jogging trail, strength training and cardio equipment, and a basketball gym.

There will also be group exercise rooms, an outdoor heated swimming pool, child care rooms and a cycle studio.

Speakers at the event attributed the need for the new YMCA to Katy’s growth.

The new YMCA is anticipated to serve about 20,000 people by 2019 and have 400,000 visits a year.   

Leonard Merrell, a Katy YMCA board member and chairman of the capital steering committee for the new facility, said the campaign has raised $1.4 million but is seeking $1 million more in funding.

“The second YMCA is honestly probably not the last one that we’re talking about in the city of Katy,” he said.