Wesley Chapel's first YMCA opened Sept. 28 with more than 6,300 members already signed up, bringing a $35 million fitness and recreation facility to one of Pasco County's fastest-growing communities.

The Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA, at 4379 Wellbeing Way, is a two-story, 49,319-square-foot complex next to BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel.

The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA expects the facility to serve a surrounding community of more than 40,000 households and support the creation of more than 300 jobs, according to Spectrum Bay News 9.

"This YMCA is opening today with over 6,300 members already, and we're just opening the doors," Tampa YMCA President and CEO Matt Mitchell said at the opening ceremony. "That shows the value and the need for a resource like this in Wesley Chapel."

New facility combines fitness and family programs

The YMCA includes an aquatics center with lap and teaching pools, a family adventure pool with a waterslide, a gymnasium, group exercise studios and a fitness center equipped with EGYM technology that tracks workouts and personalizes exercise routines.

Families also have access to Stay & Play child care, which includes an indoor play area, and programs ranging from youth sports and swimming lessons to summer camps and activities for teens and older adults.

The YMCA offers wellness and chronic disease prevention programs as part of its focus on community health.

The organization estimates that more than 25,000 children and approximately 20,000 seniors live within a 10-minute drive of the new branch.

The facility is located on land leased from BayCare Health System, which opened BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel in 2023. The neighboring organizations intend to connect medical care with fitness and preventive wellness services.

Facility honors longtime YMCA supporter

The branch is named for philanthropist Mary W. Sierra, whose family has supported YMCA programs and other charitable initiatives throughout the Tampa Bay area.

The YMCA announced the naming at its May 28, 2025, groundbreaking ceremony, recognizing the Sierra family's financial support.

Mary and her husband, Bob Sierra, established the Mary and Bob Sierra Family Foundation, which has contributed to educational and human services organizations.

Bob Sierra is also the namesake of the Bob Sierra Family YMCA in Tampa, which opened in 1985.

The new Wesley Chapel facility represents another major investment in the YMCA's efforts to expand recreational and wellness services throughout the Tampa Bay region.

Six years of planning lead to opening

The Wesley Chapel YMCA was approximately six years in the making, Mitchell said at the opening ceremony.

The organization announced its $35 million construction plans in May 2025, with the project designed to meet growing demand for youth programs, exercise facilities and family recreation in eastern Pasco County.

The branch is expected to create more than 300 jobs as operations and programming expand, according to the YMCA's official website.

The facility is accepting members and offering programs including swim lessons, youth basketball, soccer, volleyball and group exercise classes.

The Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA is at 4379 Wellbeing Way in Wesley Chapel. Information about memberships, programs and hours is available at TampaYMCA.org.