The Southeast Ventura County YMCA announced the Yarrow Family YMCA as the name of the new Westlake Village YMCA currently in its final phase of construction with an anticipated opening in spring 2019. Local dignitaries and members of the public were on hand September 9 to witness the name unveiling. The Y is named after long-time YMCA supporters, Doug and Penny Yarrow.
Ronnie Stone, Southeast Ventura County YMCA's CEO, said this YMCA has been in the works for 20 years. "It started in 1998 with a few crazy people who had some crazy ideas," says Stone. "Originally, the Y was going to be constructed on a small piece of property on Lindero Canyon Road. We received some pushback from the neighbors and ended up with the Y's current location. We were going to build in phases, but key donors such as the Yarrows, David Murdock, and
Jeff and Vicki Shumway wanted to see it all done at once and they were right. This will be one of the finest Ys you'll find in the country."
The Yarrow family and the YMCA have been connected for generations, starting when Doug Yarrow was six years old and attended the Santa Monica Y. "Having the word 'family' in the new YMCA's name moves my heart," says Yarrow. "Family means so much to Penny and me. The Y is our extended family."
Dignitaries in attendance were Westlake Village Mayor Mark Rutherford and city council members, Thousand Oaks City Council member Claudia de la Pena and Las Virgenes School Board member Linda Menges.
The Yarrow Family YMCA is at 31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Membership sales are now open. Contact Christy Rosen, member experience director, to lock in pre-opening rates at crosen@sevymca.org, 818-707-9622. To keep up to date on the progress of the new Y, membership as well as employment and donation opportunities, go to www.YourNewY.org.
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building positive relationships, impacting lives and strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living programs and social responsibility. It serves the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Agoura Hills and Moorpark through its three branches. www.sevymca.org
