The historic downtown Santa Ana YMCA has been closed down and shuttered since 1991, but the structure may get a new lease on life. Thanks to a unanimous decision handed down by city council last month, the city of Santa Ana will be pursuing negotiations that may result in a fitness and wellness center opening at the location.
Built in 1923, the Mission-Spanish Colonial Revival style structure's infrastructure will need updating to meet present city code. St. Joseph Health, in conjunction with its affiliate, Taller San Jose, has expressed an interest in assuming the cost of renovating the building. The building would then be used to house a fitness center for those who work and live in an underserved part of Santa Ana.
The deal between the city, St. Joseph, and Taller San Jose is not finalized yet, but the council approved reimbursing them for the time spent drafting a negotiating agreement. For their part, St. Joseph and Taller San Jose agreed that if a final agreement is signed, it would include a stipulation that the facade would be renovated within 120 days.
The proposed fitness center would include classrooms in which education in nutrition and other wellness topic would be available. A number of printing services are like to be needed for this type of facility, such as brochure and poster printing to keep clients informed.
