The Sumner City Council approved a contribution of $2.5 million to the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap counties for the construction of a YMCA facility in Sumner.

Last week the city took another step toward the development of the facility when the Pierce County Regional Council passed an amendment which will lead to the extension of the Urban Growth Area, which is necessary for construction of the facility since the land is not currently designated for it.

With the allocation of the money, Sumner’s YMCA building is scheduled to open in 2013, the culmination of a project long in progress.

More than two years ago Sumner residents formed a committee, led by Barbara Bitetto, which worked to create a concept for a YMCA to specifically fit the Sumner community.

The group recruited the Pierce County YMCA to assist with the project.

“We looked at different partners and found that the YMCA of Pierce County is an expert at running programs and facilities,” Bitetto said.

The facility’s specifics are not finalized, but it is expected to have swimming pools, weights, a gymnasium, child and youth activities and a teen center. Gathering areas like community rooms, an Internet cafe and an arts center are planned. The YMCA facility’s location is 166th and state Route 410.

The project is planned to be funded by the real estate excise tax, sales tax, and permit fees generated by the project.

“The YMCA project, along with some surrounding development that will happen in that area (like Winco Foods) will provide significant amounts of one-time revenue for the city. We have generally tried to focus one-time revenues on one-time expenses – like capital,” City Administrator John Doan wrote in an e-mail to The Courier-Herald.

Council unanimously approved the item and enthusiasm was expressed by the audience and council alike.

Mayor Dave Enslow said he heard from many people the facility is needed and his agreement with the spending spoke to that effect.

“For those who know me, I’m pretty tight with the buck,” Enslow said.

Council member Matt Richardson said there was no difficulty voting for the item.

“It will probably be the easiest vote that we ever make,” Richardson said.

Council member Steve Allsop said he has visited the YMCA on the South Hill and was impressed.

“It’s just an atmosphere that is second to none,” he said.

Following the vote, Enslow asked for a round of applause to be given for the YMCA, whose president of its Pierce and Kitsap county locations, Bob Ecklund, spoke at the meeting.

“This is one of the greatest steps forward I’ve seen for this community,” Enslow said.

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