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Much needed swimming pool will serve residents in Miami-Dade
Top leadership from the YMCA of South Florida was joined by donors, elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the recent groundbreaking of the much-anticipated Barbara and Philip Wong Aquatic Center at the South Dade YMCA Family Center, 9355 SW 134 Street in Miami.
Named after generous benefactors, Barbara and Philip Wong, this new addition to the Y’s South Dade family center will include a swimming pool and a splash and change area. The much-needed pool will greatly benefit the community as the Y has one of the most comprehensive water safety and drowning prevention programs in the nation that includes accessible and affordable swim lessons for all.
“This project is all about water safety and drowning prevention,” said YMCA of South Florida CEO Sheryl A. Woods. “Drowning tragedies are preventable with access to swim lessons and water safety programs. We are deeply grateful to all our supporters here, particularly Barbara and Philip Wong, for this opportunity to bring our water safety programs to life in Dade County. Together we will create a ripple effect and turn the tide.”
Florida still leads the nation in child drownings of all ages with Miami-Dade and Broward counties having the most drowning deaths in the state. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death for children under 4 years old nationwide. It has been reported that formal swimming lessons reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%.
Thousands of children will learn to swim here when the pool at the YMCA in South Dade County is completed in summer of 2026. For more information about the Y, visit ymcasouthflorida.org.
About the YMCA of South Florida
For more than a century, the YMCA has been woven into the fabric of the South Florida community. As an award-winning nonprofit, the Y is committed to strengthening community through more than 200 programs serving everyone from six months old to 100 years young. Our Family Centers and programs are inclusive, vibrant hubs of community life, offering a diverse array of classes, cutting-edge fitness facilities, life-saving aquatics, exciting community events, unforgettable camps, supportive afterschool care, and holistic health and wellness programming. At the Y, there’s something for everyone. Join the movement by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or YMCASouthFlorida.org.
