Designed for the First Coast, the Winston Family YMCA provides modern fitness, recreation and community spaces.

After serving Jacksonville for decades, the Winston Family YMCA had outgrown its aging facility. As its former next-door neighbor, Haskell brought a unique understanding of the site while helping deliver a modern replacement that continues the organization’s longstanding role in the community.

Haskell’s $19.7 million scope included the demolition of the existing facility, construction of a new 86,000-square-foot YMCA and parking improvements. The three-story facility includes 20,000 square feet of fitness space, an elevated indoor running track, a 7,800-square-foot gymnasium, locker rooms, childcare and teen centers, exercise studios and a dedicated space for prayer, meditation and quiet reflection. Two pools support a variety of programs: a six-lane, 25-meter lap pool for competitive swimming and recreational use, and a heated therapy pool for swim lessons, senior fitness classes and physical rehabilitation.

A distinctive design required an equally innovative construction approach.

Given its highly visible location along Jacksonville’s Riverwalk, the YMCA wanted a building that would become a recognizable landmark. The project’s defining architectural feature was an elliptical structural drum. Because steel cannot be rolled into a true ellipse, each member required custom fabrication and assembly.

Rather than relying on traditional layout methods, Haskell used coordinated 3D modeling and robotic scanning to digitally locate structural elements with a high degree of accuracy. The approach streamlined installation, maintained the construction schedule, improved quality control and reduced field labor.

Our procurement strategy delivered cost savings throughout the project lifecycle.

When interior subcontractor pricing exceeded the owner’s budget, Haskell worked with the YMCA to identify an alternative procurement strategy. Because the organization qualified for a sales tax exemption, the team recommended adjusting the purchasing process to maximize available sales tax savings. Although the approach required additional administrative coordination by Haskell, it helped reduce overall project costs while preserving the project’s scope.

Haskell is committed to creating spaces where people can connect, learn and thrive.

The new Winston Family YMCA strengthened Jacksonville’s urban core by replacing an aging facility with a modern community resource designed to serve residents for decades to come. By preserving the YMCA’s longstanding presence while expanding its capabilities, the project supports health, recreation and connection throughout the First Coast.