The Y at the Carol Edwards Center Celebrating Year Anniversary

The Y at the Carol Edwards Center is celebrating its first year in Woodinville and by all accounts, it’s been a successful one.

The Carol Edwards Center was shuttered Dec. 31, 2010 when the city’s shrinking revenue stream forced elimination of the recreation department. Rather than leaving the community center empty, the city sent out a call for recreational proposals. .

Since opening in April 2011, the Y has offered recreation and childrens programs to more than 6,000 people, more than 2,000 of which were Woodinville residents, according to Luann Jackman, regional executive director of the Northshore YMCA. She expects even more people to use the facility this year.

“As of February 2012, we are averaging over 1,000 people each week participating in ongoing programs and activities,” Jackman told the city council last week. “Seasonally, we have had hundreds of additional participants in summer camp, holiday adventure camp and special events.”

Jackman added that the Y was able to offer the many programs, classes and community groups, which previously were part of the City programs and were able to continue with them.  “The toddler play time is back and going however the preschool has not gotten up and going yet,” she said. “We will be having Summer Fun Bunch at the center this summer, which is our preschool summer “camp”.  So we are hoping the preschool program will be flourishing this fall.”

To celebrate the first year, the Y is hosting an open house March 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with music, food, face painting and pinewood derby races.

The Y at the Carol Edwards Center is also opening its door for event on March 31. It was unable to accommodate the event last year because it had just taken possession of the property and didn’t have time to prepare.