Prescott, AZ YMCA

Childcare Function Leads Design

The first steps in designing a new facility begin with programming. And in the case of the new Prescott, Arizona YMCA, that program design begins with the makeup of the community.

Prescott has a considerable child poverty rate. For working parents, many of them single, existing affordable childcare only serves one in three families who need it. So the childcare components incorporated into this Y’s design are considerable. Funding needs are then of great importance, hence a partnership between the city and the Y organization is making the project much more likely to achieve fruition.

The municipality will own the structure, while the Y will provide operational services in this partnership.

Gro helped lead on predesign, concept design, and schematic design. It is being built in at least two phases, the first of which is a two-level complex. This will provide 45,000 square feet of exercise amenities (gymnasium, indoor and outdoor sports, group exercise, outdoor splash pad), a health and wellness floor, multigenerational maker space, and community space – all in addition to the child care facility. 

Future phases could include a full-sized indoor swimming pool, expanded childcare, and additional programming space.