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YMCA’s Clearwater facility set to close as Seminole-based school takes over property
After serving the area for over 50 years, the Clearwater YMCA at 1005 S Highland Ave. will close, but it will be repurposed for another use – a school.
Learning Independence for Tomorrow, or LiFT, a Seminole-based school that serves children and adults with intellectual disabilities, purchased the facility from the YMCA of the Suncoast in a $3.8 million deal.
LiFT, which started in 2013 and offers educational programs for K-12 students and learning and employment classes for adults, will expand from its Seminole location into the current Clearwater YMCA facility. The 58,808-square-foot facilitywill allow the school to meet its goal of doubling capacity to serve 350-400 students within the next four years.
The new LiFT campus is anticipated to open for students in the fall of 2022.
Meanwhile, the Clearwater YMCA will temporarily move services to other locations with the intent to build “a brand new, state-of-the-art facility” that would be next to the current facility, according to a letter from YMCA President of the Suncoast Scott Goyer to YMCA members.
The Suncoast YMCA is working to raise the appropriate funds to build a state-of-the-art facility in the Clearwater community. Y members will continue to have access to group exercise, swim lessons and youth sports programs through the “Clearwater YMCA In Motion,” as well as access to nearby YMCA facilities.
The Clearwater YMCA In Motion programming will go into effect Jan. 1.
Avi Berger
February 13, 2022at9:54 pm
I will miss the hot tub and sauna a lot! Now I have to go to the St Pete Y!
Monica odonoghue
December 28, 2021at9:48 pm
I will dearly miss the YMCA. Was a second home to me. Shed many tears of sadness and joys of Happiness at the Y. Everyone was great there .I loved all the members ❤ let’s stay in touch.. miss you all.
MONICA ODONOGUE
Chrus
December 28, 2021at12:46 pm
Boooooo! 👎