New $35 Million Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA Set to Open This Month in Wesley Chapel

A new YMCA branch built to serve tens of thousands of Wesley Chapel households is on track to open this month. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA says construction on the $35 million Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA, at 4379 Wellbeing Way, has stayed on schedule through the summer, giving local families a large new option for fitness, youth sports, camps and senior programs close to home.

Tampa YMCA President and CEO Matt Mitchell confirmed the timeline in an Aug. 20 letter to members, writing that "next month, we will open the doors" to the new center. He called it "a tremendous investment in a growing community."

The response has outpaced what the Y expected. More than 100 families signed up in the first few days of online presales alone, before the branch even had a physical membership office open.

What's inside

Recent construction updates describe a facility that is largely finished. The indoor playground structure is complete, gym equipment has been laid out, and bikes are already in place in the cycle room. The outdoor playground has safety flooring and a shade canopy, and the front desk is finished with marble countertops. Group exercise studios are getting their finishing touches, and furniture for the Stay & Play child care area, including a puppet theater, light table and train table, has started arriving.

The Y is also building out a leadership team ahead of opening day. Andi Cornett, who has nearly nine years of YMCA experience, is Membership Director. Becca Anderson, who has led wellness programming at the Bob Sierra Family YMCA since 2023, is Wellness Director. Michael Loftin, who spent more than two decades in youth athletics with the Polk County School System, is Sports Director. Anna Carman, who previously led family engagement at the YMCA of the Triangle in North Carolina, is Family Program Director.

Who it's built for

The branch sits within minutes of more than 40,000 households and roughly 20,000 seniors, and it's designed to serve all of them, from swim lessons and youth sports to senior wellness programs aimed at managing chronic disease and staying socially connected.

Some youth programs, including sports, swim lessons and Kids' Day Out, are already open for enrollment even though the building itself hasn't opened yet. More offerings are expected to be added as the September opening gets closer.

Families who join as charter members before the grand opening get a $0 join fee and a locked-in rate for five years, along with immediate access to every other Tampa YMCA location. That systemwide access already kicked in this month, ahead of the physical opening in Wesley Chapel.

The Y has not yet announced an exact opening date or details of a ribbon-cutting event. Families interested in joining or checking which youth programs are currently enrolling can find updates directly through the Tampa YMCA's Wesley Chapel location page.

Want to keep up with what's opening around Wesley Chapel and the rest of Pasco County? Visit Pasco County Community Website for ongoing coverage, follow us on Facebook, and join the conversation in our Community Forum. For more openings, programs and family-focused news, check out our community stories and lifestyle coverage from around the county.