What now, Orton Junction? PART V: Sumner's YMCA

What now, Orton Junction? PART V: Sumner’s YMCA

The Pierce County Council voted Oct. 25 to redesignate nearly 126 acres of agricultural resource lands to allow for the mixed-use Orton Junction project—to the consternation of those who wanted farmlands preserved. But the issue is far from settled. What happens next depends on the availability of suitable replacement lands, an appeals process, and whether the development market flocks to Sumner’s south end.

This is the fifth in a five-part series on Orton Junction. The full original story appeared in the Winter 2011 Sumner Magazine released Nov. 30. To read Part IV, click here. To start with Part I, click here.

YMCA

YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is, without a doubt, the most vested party for developing Orton Junction at the time of this writing.

The nonprofit corporation has already raised $5.9 million in donations from its capital campaign, according to CEO Bob Ecklund, who has opened more than 20 YMCA sites.

He was scheduled to meet design and engineering firm BCRA the afternoon of Nov. 23, and a design will likely be finalized by the end of the year with intent to open in summer 2013.

“We can’t wait to break ground,” Ecklund said.

Donations include $2.5 million from the city of Sumner, $250,000 from the Sumner chapter of Rotary Club, $250,000 from the Peterson family, an anonymous $1 million, and $1 million from regular YMCA donors Ray and Deanna Dally. Additionally, Orton Farms is donating the land for the site, valued at approximately $1.5 million.

The facility is planned to include a warm water pool, a wellness center, a teen center, a children’s play area, a dance fitness studio for Zumba and spinning classes, an indoor track, a gymnasium, and an arts center.

“The arts center is a feature that will be unique to Sumner,” YMCA spokesperson Michelle LaRue said.

The thought of a YMCA isn’t music to everyone’s ears.

Brent Mounts, the general manager of Prime Fitness in Bonney Lake, was perhaps the only Orton Junction opponent appearing at Pierce County Council public testimony who did not base his argument on a conservation or traffic issue.

“It’s a fact that 20,000 people want to join the YMCA,” Mounts said, referring to a YMCA market study of the region. “You aren’t going to get (that many) people in a five mile radius. It is not an area that will support 20,000 members and, (if so) it will kill jobs in fitness industry businesses that have been in the area five or 10 years.”

Councilman Dan Roach addressed his own conflict: voting for an amendment that would allow for a YMCA, which in turn could threaten his family business, Roach Gymnastics.

“I was concerned,” Roach said. “YMCA does gymnastics; they have the ability to expand. My wife and I sat down, and we agreed you can’t stifle competition in the market. It’s not something I believe in.

“I thought it was the best option for Pierce County,” Roach said. “It will bring jobs in, and the (Seven Principles) agreement is excellent. It’s a great opportunity to protect agriculture.”

The decision to donate six acres to the YMCA may prove a savvy business decision for Orton Farms. Growth begets growth, and one of the surest ways to get the ball of urbanization rolling is to make life easier for that first organization to create jobs and attract traffic.

And, slowly, the emptiness will fill.