In Palm Beach County, wellness has become more than a trend — it’s a way of living. It’s in the salt air of early-morning walks, in our cold-pressed juices, in the commitment to movement and presence. Increasingly, it’s also in the places we choose to spend our time. We seek environments that lift us, inspire us, and connect us. And in that spirit, something extraordinary is taking shape just across from Palm Beach International Airport: a new 55,000-square-foot flagship YMCA designed to redefine whole-person wellness for the next generation.
Quietly but confidently, the YMCA of the Palm Beaches is building one of the region’s most ambitious wellness destinations — a campus that blends state-of-the-art fitness, mindful movement, youth engagement, and community connection in a way that feels both elevated and deeply rooted in purpose. This isn’t simply a new building; it’s a reimagining of what wellness can look like when a community chooses to dream bigger.
At the heart of the project is a belief that wellness should feel both inspiring and accessible. As YMCA President & CEO Tim Coffield explains, true wellness “is about feeling healthy, supported, and connected in every part of your life.” The new Wellness Center reflects that philosophy: dynamic strength and conditioning studios, a light-filled mind-body terrace for yoga and restorative practices, modern cardio and small-group training rooms, and an aquatics complex next door developed in partnership with Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation. It’s the caliber of space Palm Beach residents expect — but built on the YMCA promise that healthy living should remain a shared, inclusive experience.
One of the most progressive elements of the campus — and one that reflects today’s holistic approach to health — is the Youth Engagement & Resource Center. Designed for ages 12 to 22, it will include a STEM lab with a robotics arena, recording studio, visual arts center, teen lounge, e-gaming space, teaching kitchen, and targeted mentoring and workforce programs. Job-skills pathways will span construction trades, food service, digital design, sound engineering, and IT. At a time when teens face growing pressures — from social media to academic uncertainty — the YMCA is creating a place where they can feel seen, supported, and safe.
That blend of physical vitality and emotional grounding is what makes this project feel so attuned to how the Palm Beaches are embracing wellness today. It’s movement and mindfulness. Fitness and purpose. It’s the understanding that a healthy community grows from the environments we build — and the opportunities we provide for others.
The initiative — now more than 60 percent funded — reflects a rare and highly successful public-private partnership between the YMCA and Palm Beach County, which approved a 50-year ground lease for the new Lake Lytal Park site. Federal and state support followed, and with groundbreaking complete, the campus is on track to open in 2026. Philanthropic momentum continues to surge, with Palm Beach residents stepping forward in record numbers to help bring the project across the finish line.
For many supporters, the appeal is clear. As Coffield notes, donors aren’t investing in a gym — they’re investing in a healthier, stronger, more connected Palm Beach County. “You’re helping a child learn to swim,” he says. “You’re giving a young person mentorship and a path toward the future. You’re offering a senior a place to stay active and social.”
The YMCA has shaped Palm Beach County for over a century, and this new campus secures its impact for decades to come. With a naming donor still to be identified, the vision is already set: when the YMCA opens in 2026, it will offer more than a place to work out — it will offer a community grounded in wellness, purpose, and belonging.