YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg raises $20 million toward new YMCA facility
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Sep 8, 2023

The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has raised $20 million for the upcoming Speer YMCA and is launching the community phase of its fundraising campaign.

The wellness facility at 501 62nd Ave. NE broke ground in June 2022 and is expected to open in December. The facility will be nearly 75,000 square feet and will include a fitness center with new equipment, group exercise studios, an outdoor wellness terrace and an aquatics center.

Board member Janet Link Ferguson, chairperson for the Y for Life Campaign, said that while engaged in quiet fundraising, the YMCA raised roughly $20 million of a $25 million goal. They are working toward raising the remaining $5 million through community support. The Community Fundraising Campaign will be led by Alexandra Feinberg and David Hood, both members of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg board.

The Speer Foundation donated $8 million to the new YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg wellness facility, securing the naming rights for the project. The foundation previously donated to the YMCA Speer Preschool Academy in 2015, which secured naming rights to the facility.

“The Speer Foundation, with its commitment to education and health, has become a highly valued supporter of our YMCA and our education initiatives,” David Jezek, president and CEO of YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, said in a release. “This kind of transformational support brings enriching programs and services to the immediate area and strengthens families, youth, individuals and the community for generations to come.”

Uniquely, the project includes a 111,757-square-foot two-story building that has elements that will be shared by both Mangrove Bay Middle School and the Speer YMCA. The shared amenities include a gymnasium, culinary center, dining hall and athletics field.

Mangrove Bay Middle School will be “a health and wellness leadership magnet school for 600 students,” according to a release. The project is a collaboration between the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg and the Pinellas County School Board.

“The leadership of both the school district and the Y are to be applauded for collaborating in this very innovative venture, which will benefit the neighboring community for generations,” said Cabot Pyle, executive director for the Speer Foundation. “Speer Foundation is honored to lend its support; this is the kind of project Speer Foundation is delighted to get behind.”