New YMCA in Gibsonton to be Discussed at Public Meeting

Right now, it's a vacant piece of property at the south end of the Vance Vogel Sports Complex, 13012 Bullfrog Creek Rd., Gibsonton.

But if all goes as planned, it could become the site of the area's newest full-service YMCA facility including an aquatic center and sports fields.

The first of two public awareness meetings to discuss building the YMCA is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hillsborough County South Service Unit, 8718 Old Big Bend Rd., Gibsonton.

According to Kurt Gremley of the Hillsborough County Real Estate Services Department, residents will be asked to comment on the location of the YMCA at the Vance Vogel Park at the meeting.

Currently, this is the home of a passive park as well as a sports complex for the East Bay Little League, the East Bay Buccaneers cheerleading organization and South Hillsborough Soccer.

Gremley said the 30-acre site being considered for the Y is on the southernmost edge of the park on land that was donated to the county through the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Preservation Program.

"It's part of a large tract of ELAPP land that includes a preserve on the other side of Interstate 75," said Gremley. "This particular piece under consideration was part of the overall acquisition but had been designated 'an acquisition of convenience' so it can be developed."

If approved, the project will be funded jointly with the YMCA with about $2 million provided by the county, said Gremley.

In addition to a full-service YMCA and aquatic center, it would include new athletic fields and parking lots, said Gremley.
 
Gremley said, if the location of the YMCA meets the public's approval at this first meeting, the county will proceed with preliminary plans for the Y, which will be brought back to the public at a second meeting.

"We have a lot of work to do before we know exactly what will go there," said Gremley. "Before we go through all the work for regulatory approvals and funding, we want to make sure this is the right site."

He added that there's no schedule for the second public meeting.

"We have no definitive timelines," he said. "But we hope to get plans finalized some time this year.

For more information, contact the Hillsborough County’s Real Estate Department at 813-272-5810.