YMCA to sell Harbordale location, expand preschool facility in South St. Pete
The expansion of the Speer YMCA Preschool Academy will add 5,000 square feet to the 15,000-square-foot structure and create infant and toddler classrooms for up to 48 additional children | Wannemacher Jensen Architects
YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg announced on Monday that it intends to sell the 0.4-acre Harbordale YMCA, located at 2421 4th Street South, and use the proceeds to fund an expansion of its Speer YMCA Preschool Academy in South St. Pete, to offer infant and toddler care, at 2100 26th Avenue South.
The Harbordale YMCA closed in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and never reopened as its services were redirected to other local YMCA locations.
The organization’s board of directors, in a press release, said the decision supports its long-term, ongoing goal of providing additional accredited early childhood education in the St. Pete area. Between 2015 and 2019, the organization opened the Bardmoor YMCA Preschool Academy, the Speer YMCA Preschool Academy, and the Lealman YMCA Preschool Academy.
The Speer YMCA Preschool Academy, located at 2100 26th Avenue South, opened in 2015 and currently serves 2- to 5-year-olds | YMCA of Greater St Petersburg
“The lack of quality, accredited infant and toddler care is a deep concern for the St. Petersburg community,” stated David Jezek, President and CEO of YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. “The proceeds from selling the Harbordale YMCA will be reinvested in the Speer YMCA Preschool Academy to meet the growing demand for child care here in South St. Pete and to advance our children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.”
St. Pete-based Wannemacher Jensen Architects has spent more than a year developing an expansion plan for the Speer YMCA Preschool Academy. The expansion will add 5,000 square feet to the 15,000-square-foot structure and create infant and toddler classrooms for up to 48 additional children between the ages of 6 weeks and 2 years.
The Speer facility opened in 2015 and serves 2- to 5-year-olds. It houses an early intervention and toddler development program for children ages 2 to 3, and a state-accredited volunteer prekindergarten program for children ages 4 to 5. At present, 98 students attend the two programs.
The Y's comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum covers ten areas of development and learning focused on enriching your child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development | YMCA of Greater St Petersburg
The building features classroom space, a playground, a teaching kitchen, a community center, and grounds for sports and recreation.
“A child’s earliest years are foundational for their future development,” Jezek added. “What and how they learn in the first few years of their lives can have long-lasting effects on their educational success and future health.”
For more information and updates, visit the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg website or follow the organization on Instagram.