YMCA of Alaska & Alyeska Resort Partner for New Recreation Center & Ice Rink in Girdwood
June 14, 2024
GIRDWOOD, Alaska (June 14, 2024) –– The YMCA of Alaska and Alyeska Resort has signed a Letter of Intent to construct a new recreation center and ice rink facility in Girdwood, Alaska. This key development is a part of the Resort’s greater plans for expansion around Alyeska Resort and marks a significant step in addressing the community’s recreational needs. The team at YMCA of Alaska and Alyeska Resort will collaborate closely to ensure the project’s success and alignment with the community of Girdwood.
This partnership comes after the Resort’s recent approval from the Municipality of Anchorage to transform the resort through the new Master Planned Village at Alyeska. Current design of the YMCA facility includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, multi-lane lap pool, kids pool and an open-air covered ice rink facility. The NHL-sized ice pad will provide Girdwood and visitors with an easily accessible area for community skate programs, hosting local hockey games, and offering a new area to recreate when the inclement weather rolls in. Similarly, the fitness center and pool will offer a public facility to further enhance recreation and fitness for local community members and visitors.
“We’re very excited about this partnership and getting started on such an important community asset in Girdwood,” said Nate Root, COO at the YMCA of Alaska. “Our focus will really be on enhancing services to the community, and opening up programs and opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy every aspect the facility has to offer. This will include fitness classes, community skate time and learn-to-swim programs.”
The center will tie into the proposed village area neighboring workforce housing buildings and a new daycare facility in partnership with Little Bears Playhouse. In addition to providing community and public benefits, the YMCA and Alyeska hope this facility can one day be the host of the first Alyeska Winter Classic Hockey Tournament.
ABOUT THE YMCA OF ALASKA:
The YMCA of Alaska is an inclusive nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of children, promoting healthy living, and fostering social responsibility. It unites men, women, and children through a shared commitment to strengthening communities and supporting individual growth. The YMCA offers programs that aim to protect, teach, connect, heal, nourish, and encourage all members of the community, helping them realize their full potential. Envisioning itself as an intergenerational community hub, the YMCA of Alaska partners with others to provide accessible programs, services, and resources that improve quality of life for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Committed to making a positive impact, the YMCA strives to create a stronger community by offering a safe place where everyone belongs and can find hope for a better future. The YMCA of Alaska has a rich history dating back to the mid-1950s when it operated as a branch of the Armed Services YMCA. Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1967, the YMCA has grown significantly. Since its early programs in the 1950s, the YMCA of Alaska has expanded its reach and services by establishing its own facility in 1978 and opening a second location at Dimond Center in 2018. In addition, it expanded youth program services to the Matsu Valley in 2019 and currently serves over 13,000 members.
ABOUT THE VILLAGE AT ALYESKA:
Alyeska Resort, in partnership with SE Group and Skylab Architecture, has received approval for its new Master Planned Village, following extensive community engagement in Girdwood. The project, developed in four phases, aims to enhance the community while preserving the natural beauty of the Girdwood Valley. The initial phases will create a pedestrian-friendly ski village, increase workforce housing, and include a state-of-the-art community center with a pool, fitness center, and NHL-sized hockey rink. The final phase will focus on a trails-oriented housing development near Glacier Creek. With $50 million invested in the resort and community since its acquisition, Pomeroy Lodging underscores its commitment to the local economy and community. Notable updates include the Alyeska Nordic Spa, Veilbreaker Skybridges, and a 71-unit employee housing building. Construction begins in May 2025, with pre-sales and leasing opportunities debuting late 2024. Key development areas include Alyeska Village, featuring condominiums and retail spaces; Moose Meadows Village, offering rental housing and a recreation center; and Glacier Creek Village, providing housing with preserved natural features and enhanced connectivity.
ABOUT ALYESKA RESORT:
Alyeska Resort is Alaska’s premier year-round destination featuring 299 rooms, a 40-passenger aerial scenic tram, an indoor saltwater pool, Alyeska Nordic Spa on property, and seven dining offerings including Seven Glaciers, the resort’s AAA Four Diamond Award restaurant with unparalleled views overlooking seven hanging glaciers. With 1,610 skiable acres, 76 named trails and over 669 inches of snow annually, Alyeska Resort is truly a playground for all levels of skiers and riders. In the summer, Alyeska is your gateway to the Chugach Mountains, offering a peek into the vastness and wild nature of this breathtaking mountain range. Home to numerous wildlife and flora species, Alyeska seamlessly entwines luxury accommodations with convenient access to nature. First opened in 1994, the resort was acquired in 2018 by Pomeroy Lodging, a Canadian hospitality company that also operates the Kananaskis Lodge and Nordic Spa in Canada. To learn more about Alyeska Resort, visit alyeskaresort.com.
For more information on the project, please email: development@alyeskaresort.com
This partnership comes after the Resort’s recent approval from the Municipality of Anchorage to transform the resort through the new Master Planned Village at Alyeska. Current design of the YMCA facility includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, multi-lane lap pool, kids pool and an open-air covered ice rink facility. The NHL-sized ice pad will provide Girdwood and visitors with an easily accessible area for community skate programs, hosting local hockey games, and offering a new area to recreate when the inclement weather rolls in. Similarly, the fitness center and pool will offer a public facility to further enhance recreation and fitness for local community members and visitors.
“We’re very excited about this partnership and getting started on such an important community asset in Girdwood,” said Nate Root, COO at the YMCA of Alaska. “Our focus will really be on enhancing services to the community, and opening up programs and opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy every aspect the facility has to offer. This will include fitness classes, community skate time and learn-to-swim programs.”
The center will tie into the proposed village area neighboring workforce housing buildings and a new daycare facility in partnership with Little Bears Playhouse. In addition to providing community and public benefits, the YMCA and Alyeska hope this facility can one day be the host of the first Alyeska Winter Classic Hockey Tournament.
ABOUT THE YMCA OF ALASKA:
The YMCA of Alaska is an inclusive nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of children, promoting healthy living, and fostering social responsibility. It unites men, women, and children through a shared commitment to strengthening communities and supporting individual growth. The YMCA offers programs that aim to protect, teach, connect, heal, nourish, and encourage all members of the community, helping them realize their full potential. Envisioning itself as an intergenerational community hub, the YMCA of Alaska partners with others to provide accessible programs, services, and resources that improve quality of life for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Committed to making a positive impact, the YMCA strives to create a stronger community by offering a safe place where everyone belongs and can find hope for a better future. The YMCA of Alaska has a rich history dating back to the mid-1950s when it operated as a branch of the Armed Services YMCA. Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1967, the YMCA has grown significantly. Since its early programs in the 1950s, the YMCA of Alaska has expanded its reach and services by establishing its own facility in 1978 and opening a second location at Dimond Center in 2018. In addition, it expanded youth program services to the Matsu Valley in 2019 and currently serves over 13,000 members.
ABOUT THE VILLAGE AT ALYESKA:
Alyeska Resort, in partnership with SE Group and Skylab Architecture, has received approval for its new Master Planned Village, following extensive community engagement in Girdwood. The project, developed in four phases, aims to enhance the community while preserving the natural beauty of the Girdwood Valley. The initial phases will create a pedestrian-friendly ski village, increase workforce housing, and include a state-of-the-art community center with a pool, fitness center, and NHL-sized hockey rink. The final phase will focus on a trails-oriented housing development near Glacier Creek. With $50 million invested in the resort and community since its acquisition, Pomeroy Lodging underscores its commitment to the local economy and community. Notable updates include the Alyeska Nordic Spa, Veilbreaker Skybridges, and a 71-unit employee housing building. Construction begins in May 2025, with pre-sales and leasing opportunities debuting late 2024. Key development areas include Alyeska Village, featuring condominiums and retail spaces; Moose Meadows Village, offering rental housing and a recreation center; and Glacier Creek Village, providing housing with preserved natural features and enhanced connectivity.
ABOUT ALYESKA RESORT:
Alyeska Resort is Alaska’s premier year-round destination featuring 299 rooms, a 40-passenger aerial scenic tram, an indoor saltwater pool, Alyeska Nordic Spa on property, and seven dining offerings including Seven Glaciers, the resort’s AAA Four Diamond Award restaurant with unparalleled views overlooking seven hanging glaciers. With 1,610 skiable acres, 76 named trails and over 669 inches of snow annually, Alyeska Resort is truly a playground for all levels of skiers and riders. In the summer, Alyeska is your gateway to the Chugach Mountains, offering a peek into the vastness and wild nature of this breathtaking mountain range. Home to numerous wildlife and flora species, Alyeska seamlessly entwines luxury accommodations with convenient access to nature. First opened in 1994, the resort was acquired in 2018 by Pomeroy Lodging, a Canadian hospitality company that also operates the Kananaskis Lodge and Nordic Spa in Canada. To learn more about Alyeska Resort, visit alyeskaresort.com.
For more information on the project, please email: development@alyeskaresort.com
Contact:
Emily McLaughlin , Vice President
emily.m@thompsonpr.com, (907) 561-4488
