March 12, 2025
We are thrilled to share some exciting news that underscores our unwavering commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of our community.
As you have personally witnessed, the Eugene Family YMCA has experienced extraordinary growth during its first year at the Don Stathos Campus. Membership has increased from 6,018 individuals served when our former facility closed in 2023 to an amazing 18,592 by the close of 2024. This remarkable growth reflects the fulfillment of a long-standing dream to expand the Y’s ability to mentor youth, foster friendships, promote health and strengthen the communities we serve.
This growth highlights the vital role the Y plays in building connections and supporting the well-being of our region. However, we recognize there is even more we can do. With Lane County’s population exceeding 381,000 people, including nearly 177,000 in Eugene, there is a growing demand for programs that promote child development, improve health and foster community connections.
To meet this need, we’re excited to announce that on Wednesday, March 12, the Eugene Family YMCA entered into an option agreement with Lane Transit District (LTD) to explore the purchase of a 4.83-acre property at the corner of River Road and Hunsaker Lane for $4.05 million.
We are excited to continue our partnership with LTD, which has been showcased at the Don Stathos Campus through various initiatives, including the installation of digital screens promoting bus usage, participation in transportation fairs to assist members in signing up for free bus passes and the distribution of bus riders’ guides to ensure accessibility.
This new opportunity with LTD could allow us to establish a second YMCA location, ideally situated to serve the Bethel, River Road, Santa Clara and Gilham neighborhoods. This site is strategically positioned to serve approximately 45,000 households within a 10-minute drive—comparable to the number of households within a 10-minute drive of the Don Stathos Campus YMCA.
The agreement includes a due diligence period during which we’ll conduct environmental assessments, inspections and feasibility studies to ensure the site is the right fit for the community and our mission.
The property’s northern 4.83 acres, designated by LTD as surplus land, would provide the perfect space to bring expanded health, fitness, and community-building programs to north Eugene. Meanwhile, the southern portion of the property has been developed into a transit hub that serves hundreds of daily commuters in the River Road corridor.
We’ve always understood that a single YMCA location cannot fully meet the diverse health, educational, and social needs of our growing region. The success of the Don Stathos Campus—welcoming more than 850,000 visits in just over a year—is a testament to the strong demand for YMCA programs. A second location will allow us to expand that impact even further.
We’ve begun gathering insights from similar communities with multiple YMCA locations, such as Boise, Idaho and Spokane, Washington. Additionally, we’ve partnered with Gro Development, a leading YMCA consultant, to guide us through the early stages of planning and design. Their expertise will ensure our expansion is thoughtful, strategic, and impactful.
This work will not only focus on the potential north Eugene location but also on enhancing our Patterson Street property, which continues to serve as the home of the Y’s tennis center, now the newly named Tennis & Pickleball Center.
We know some of you may recall when Bethel was considered as a potential site for a new Y facility. After careful consideration, it became clear that the River Road location offers a more expansive opportunity to meet the needs of our growing community. However, we remain dedicated to serving all areas of Eugene, including Bethel, through our programs and partnerships.
The success of the new Don Stathos Campus demonstrates the power of intentional design and programming in creating a vibrant, welcoming space for all. The growth in family memberships, participation in group fitness classes, and shared experiences like coffee gatherings and potlucks have strengthened our sense of community.
We’ll keep you updated throughout the process and look forward to sharing positive news about how we can all work together to build an even healthier, more connected community for all.
With gratitude,
Brian Steffen
CEO
Eugene Family YMCA
brian@eugeneymca.org
