Building a Better Experience at the Southern Saratoga YMCA

The Southern Saratoga YMCA, part of the Capital District YMCA (CDYMCA), has been overseeing an extensive renovation project for its Clifton Park facility which started in February 2024. 

The project will repurpose unutilized and underutilized space to create more adaptable program areas, increase family services, upgrade mechanical and HVAC system efficiency, enhance technology capabilities, and put the Y in a position of success for the next 20+ years. This is the first phase in a $20 million capital campaign for renovations through the CDYMCA association. 

The facility was built in 1994 when the internet was only in 16% of households in the United States and when the community's footprint was much smaller. According to information provided by Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett, Clifton Park currently has over 17,000 family households – over 20% of the population is between 0-19 years old. The current facility has several structural and technological limitations and spaces are not being optimized to serve the community. 

Planned renovations to spaces include:

• Exterior upgrades
• Expanded youth programming spaces including STEAM and teen spaces
• Lobby enhancement including gathering areas for socialization
• New Wellness Studios and expanded Wellness Center
• Technological upgrades

“For 30 years, the Southern Saratoga YMCA has been dedicated to improving the physical, mental, and emotional health of community members of all ages,” said David Brown, president and CEO of the Capital District YMCA. “However, our current facility was designed for past generations and limits our ability to address the current and future needs of our community. To continue fulfilling our mission, we require more flexible space and partnerships to realize our vision for a better future for children, adults, seniors, and families in our area.”

In 2023, the Southern Saratoga YMCA raised over $120,000 in scholarships and program opportunities for its community members. The Southern Saratoga YMCA offers scholarships for both its wellness facility and childcare as part of its mission to support, engage, and strengthen the Capital Region community through programs and partnerships focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. With an enhanced facility, the Southern Saratoga YMCA will provide additional programs and services to improve wellness and health disparities in Clifton Park. 

“We are excited to embark on this project,” said Tovah Lisky, senior vice president of association advancement for the Capital District YMCA. “From additional childcare options to new youth programs to enhanced senior services, the CDYMCA is continuing to invest in the community of Clifton Park to create a higher quality of life for all.”

For more information on the renovation project, please contact Andrea Montejano, Executive Director for Capital District YMCA Southern Saratoga Branch at amontejano@cdymca.org