The YMCA of San Benito County has plans to move into the old
Fortino’s building as a temporary space because the Hollister
Redevelopment Agency intends to take over the old City Hall on
Fifth Street where the nonprofit organization has housed its
headquarters.
The YMCA of San Benito County has plans to move into the old Fortino’s building as a temporary space because the Hollister Redevelopment Agency intends to take over the old City Hall on Fifth Street where the nonprofit organization has housed its headquarters.
The local YMCA, with plans to occupy a portion of the old Leatherback site near downtown within the next three to five years, needed a new home after Hollister officials informed the organization it wants to move the RDA office into the city-owned building at 339 Fifth St.
The RDA for about $4,000 a month currently leases the Porter House at Sixth and Monterey streets as its offices. For about 10 years, Hollister has donated the old City Hall building to the YMCA. The city’s lease at the Porter House expires at the end of June, City Manager Clint Quilter said, noting how the move is being made to save money.
“It’s pretty substantial savings,” he said.
The organization has signed a lease with K&S Properties to rent 8,000 square feet in the former Fortino’s building, which the owner plans to divide into three units, said Rochelle Callis, executive director of the YMCA.
Callis said the YMCA expects to move into the new headquarters at 351 Tres Pinos Road by July 1. Under renovations now, it will include a community room, meeting room, two health and wellness rooms, and a kids center.
It is intended to provide a temporary home in anticipation of the organization’s plans to use more than 30,000 square feet for an indoor facility along with a 10,000-square-foot outdoor pool at the former site of Leatherback Industries. The city’s RDA owns the Leatherback property and has been working with the YMCA on plans to partner with a builder in developing at the location.
Callis expressed optimism about progress to this point and that the process will continue to “move in a forward motion.”
“That’s the hope,” she said.
For now, though, the YMCA will move ahead with the temporary space, while Callis noted how many of the rooms likely will be empty at the outset. The organization has been receiving some donations and has a “big wish list” for the site, she said. Callis pointed out how the location is “nice” because it is between the high school and Rancho San Justo Middle School. It will be a place where kids can “come hang out” after school, and Callis surmised the YMCA might start some sort of health class and one day will install fitness equipment there.
Look back for more on this story.
