History of the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA

The YMCA was formed in 1844 in London, England, by George Williams and eleven other young men in an effort to find solutions for immoral and corrupt ways of life that prevailed at that time. By 1851, a sea captain named Thomas Sullivan saw its positive influence and brought the YMCA to Boston. The Boston YMCA was so successful, it spread from coast-to-coast resulting in over 200 YMCAs by 1865. The YMCA brought a new concept of combining the spiritual, intellectual, social and physical needs of men.


The YMCA is credited with the invention of volleyball and basketball. The first gymnasium was also built by the YMCA. In 1906, the Y launched the first water safety and learn-to-swim campaigns. The YMCA is responsible for the first organized group camping program. In addition, the YMCA also opened its membership to men and women of all religious faiths and of all ages.


The North Coast Family YMCA, renamed the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA, started in 1958 working out of homes and borrowed offices. Our YMCA is now serving over 50,000 different youth and adults in our community. The Paul Ecke family donated the original 5-acre site on Saxony Road in Encinitas in 1968, the Ecke Fields in 1980, and the north adjacent 11 acres in 1985 to the YMCA. A contiguous 20-acre ocean view site is now the home of one of the most active and progressive YMCAs in the nation. Facility expansion has allowed for tremendous growth of members and participants

1956

First Indian Guide tribe formed in North County

   1993 First Mardi Gras event
1960 First Inaugural Banquet   1993 Preschool/drop-in playground remodeled
1962 Harold Larsen Aquatic Park acquired   1994 Received $1.5 Million from Gary Biszantz
1968 Paul Ecke donated 5-acre site   1995

Paul Ecke, Jr. Tribute Dinner
1969 Charles Kelly Primitive Campsite donated   1995 Capital Campaign launched

1969 North Coast Main Facility-Guilford Whitney Center built   1995 Speed Soccer and Roller Hockey arenas built
1971 First Roof Raisers event   1995 Personalized Fitness Center constructed
1974 W. Russell Fawcett Diving Pool built   1996 Ground Breaking, Gary E. Biszantz Family Gymnasium & Athletic Center
1976 First Y-Ladies Happening Event   1997 Gymnastic Center opened
1977 Four tennis courts built
   1998 Newly improved & expanded skate park features a 34,000-sq.-ft. street course
1978 Y’s Men Club playground built   1998 Opening of Gary E. Biszantz Family Gymnasium & Athletic Center
1979 Pool enclosure completed   1999 Teen Center opened
1979 Weight room added   2000 Roller Hockey conversion to multi-use arena/ Skate Park expansion
1979 Tennis court lights added   2001 BMX Park grand opening
1980 Ecke Fields donated   2001 Camp offices built
1981 Hubbard Hall Office/Conference Wing completed   2001 Renovation of GymVentures Room and Dance Studio
1982 First Poinsettia Ball and Auction   2001 Teen Center relocated
1983 Parking Lot expanded   2002 Gymnastics Center expansion
1984 Speed soccer field built   2002 Courtyard renovated
1985 Enlarged and modernized weight room   2003 Multi-use room remodeled to add four preschool classrooms
1985 Name change to Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA   2004 New 34,000-sq.-ft. Skate Park built with vert ramp from the
X-games
1987 Ground Breaking - new facility   2004 Leased a 4,000 sq. ft. satellite building for program expansion
1988 New 22,000-square-foot-facility opened
   2005 Child Watch renovation
1989 Original Weight Room remodeled for a Dance/ Aerobic Studio   2005 Installation of movable wall in Pee Wee Gym
1981 Hubbard Hall Office/Conference Wing completed   2005 Playground Partners Cooperative formed
1990 First YMCA Golf Classic (formerly Ledo Charities Tournament)

  2005 Youth locker room renovation
1990 Skateboard Park built   2006 Aquatic Center opens, new 25-meter by 25-yard pool, new Interactive Splash Pad; existing
pool renovation, new south parking lot
1991 Two Tennis Courts added   2007 YMCA of San Diego County celebrates 125 years.
1992 Paul Ecke Sports Park dedicated