Finally, Chinatown YMCA Breaks Ground
December 23, 2005
Finally, Chinatown YMCA Breaks Ground
After waiting nearly 60 years, San Francisco’s Chinatown YMCA finally broke ground for a new building and courtyard. The 1926 building will also receive a facelift and force the YMCA to temporarily relocate offices and programs from its 855 Sacramento Street site.
“Phew, we did it. … We’ve come to our dream. Over the last two or three years, I’ve been saying, ‘This is the furthest we’ve been, this is the furthest we’ve been.’ And finally our dream is coming true,” said Elizabeth Gee-Ogawa, chair of the board to more than 200 observers in the YMCA courtyard.
Demolition is expected to proceed as early as March 2006 with completion in fall 2007. Ford Lee, chairman of the Capital Committee, said, “Our goal is to receive the site permit by mid-December and start demolition in early 2006.”
At the end of this year, the YMCA will be temporarily relocated a few blocks away, while fitness and youth programs will be housed in other YMCA facilities or elsewhere.
“Dad, there’s no way you can fit these [T-shirts] anymore. Why do you keep these? He said it really reminds me of a very important time when the Chinatown YMCA was really the only place that he felt truly comfortable and accepted. … I am really looking forward to bringing him here when the new building opens up.”
– Brian Cheu, Mayor’s Office of Community Development, on reminiscing with his father and his two old mementos. His father had attended the old Oriental School, which is today’s Gordon J. Lau Elementary School.
“The YMCA has a long tradition in our family that dates back to my husband’s, Henry’s, days at Camp McCoy in 1939. Then our boys Dan and Steven went to summer camp and were club members. I directed the first girls camp.”
– Carole Jan Lee, Board Member
“The current Chinatown YMCA, which was built in 1926, must be revitalized and expanded to meet today’s needs. … San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the most densely populated areas in the country.”
– Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, who conducted a town hall meeting a few years ago in the YMCA.
“The YMCA has offered me leadership skills. I started as a participant, to volunteer, and now staff for 9 years. The Y is the only place in Chinatown that has varied programs and opportunities for youth that is open toeveryone and focused on core values like honesty, caring, and respect.”
– Alston Lew, Swim Instructor
Building History and Future
• 1911: Chinese ministers organized interdenominational “Chinese YMCA,” which meets in Chinatown churches where young Chinese American men and teens learned about health and religion.
• 1912: YMCA expands and leases space at 1028 Stockton Street, where English and mechanical drawing is taught.
• 1915: Relocates to 830 Stockton Street storefront, where members study English and Christianity, vocational and social skills.
• 1926: Chinese YMCA raises $200,000 to open at 855 Sacramento Street, complete with gym, showers and lockers, pool, game rooms, classrooms and bedrooms. Youth services expand. At dedication, there are 200 YMCA members.
• 1945: 2,000 YMCA members
• 1950s: Girls and women admitted.
• 1960s: Renamed “Chinatown YMCA.”
• Dec 15, 2005: Groundbreaking
• March 2006: Demolition
• Spring 2006: Construction begins.
• Fall 2007: Completion
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