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YMCA reports increased visits, scholarships and program reach despite pool closure
Summary
YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Sammamish branch reported strong program numbers for 2024 — including more than 489,000 visits, over $185,000 in scholarships, 7,100 swim lessons and 13,000 meals served — and updated council on tile/pool repairs and grant pressures affecting wraparound services.
Kelly Martin, branch executive for the Sammamish Community and Aquatic Center with the YMCA of Greater Seattle, told the Sammamish City Council on May 13 that the branch recorded increased participation and broad program impact in 2024 despite a prolonged pool tile project and leadership transitions.
Martin said the branch saw "over 489 hundred thousand visits to the Y" in 2024 and that the YMCA awarded more than $185,000 in scholarships for memberships and programs. The branch taught more than 7,100 swim lessons and served over 13,000 meals to the Sammamish community, Martin said. She highlighted fundraising that generated about $134,000 and noted nearly $200,000 in scholarships and program support across the branch.
Anjali Meyer, the city’s director of Parks and Recreation, introduced the presentation and reminded council that the city is a contract city and that the YMCA operates under an agreement to provide recreation services in the city‑owned facility. Martin credited staff and the local YMCA board for the branch’s reach and described signature community events — Extravaganza and Fall Festival — that drew thousands of residents. She said the branch ran free community swim sessions and offered wide age‑range programming including chronic disease programs such as Pedaling for Parkinson’s and Active Choices Together (ACT).
Council members asked about operating costs and grant pressures. Council member Sid Gupta asked why reported utility costs were lower despite higher membership; Martin said the lower costs were likely related to the pool closure and that some wraparound services across the YMCA federation have been affected by federal grant reductions. Martin said local branch operations had not yet been impacted but that the YMCA’s social impact center (wraparound services) had seen grant changes; she said the branch had communicated potential impacts to partners and donors.
Council members thanked the YMCA for programming and asked staff to track federal grant impacts that might reduce wraparound services. Deputy Mayor Amy Lam and Council member Stewart noted efforts to reach local high schools for swim practice and to promote the YMCA’s free and low‑barrier programs to Sammamish residents. The presentation concluded with council appreciation and no formal action requested.
Ending: The council received the YMCA’s annual report and asked staff to monitor grant pressure effects on wraparound services and to support outreach so residents understand YMCA program availability in Sammamish.
