The Frank DeLuca YMCA

On September 15, 2021, The Frank DeLuca YMCA Sportsplex celebrated with a grand opening ceremony. Frank DeLuca was the lead donor of the project, making this his second $1 million dollar donation to the Frank DeLuca YMCA. As an outdoor athletic venue, the Sportsplex will now give the Y an opportunity to provide a safe, open atmosphere for kids, families, adults, and seniors. In addition to providing more space for pickup and organized sports, the Frank DeLuca Y also intends to use the space for camps and group exercise classes.

The Sportsplex includes a metal airnasium, the covered structure, with multipurpose courts for volleyball and basketball with lighting and fans. In between the airnasium and the outdoor pickleball courts, there will be a courtyard with a couple of shade structures, bleachers, and picnic tables. Future additions include a 2,000 sq. ft. youth activity center, outdoor restrooms, additional soccer fields, and expanded parking.

"We all have certain organizations that are important to each of us in different ways, however, our children are probably the most important to all of us. By leaving a legacy in the Y we are helping assure the future of our children, that is why I continue to invest in the YMCA and this project expansion."

— Frank DeLuca, Lead Donor

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The Frank DeLuca YMCA broke ground on January 27th on a new expansion project that is set to address the current community needs. Designed to be a premier outdoor athletic venue, the Frank DeLuca YMCA Sportsplex will provide Marion County residents with more opportunities to gain life-changing skills learned from youth and adult sports. YMCA key donors, members and volunteers gathered with community leaders to celebrate the beginning of the $2.5 million project. Phase 1 of the Sportsplex, which includes the metal airnasium, a covered structure for outdoor multipurpose courts for sports like basketball and volleyball, an outdoor gathering and social space, and four uncovered Pickleball courts. Later phases of the project include: A 2,000 sq.-ft. youth activity center, outdoor restrooms, additional soccer fields and expanded parking.

Built by Dinkins Construction, the Sportsplex will provide the YMCA with an opportunity to provide a safe, open atmosphere for kids, families, adults and seniors. In addition to providing more space for pickup and organized sports, the YMCA also intends to use the space for camps and exercise classes.

Made possible by the generosity of YMCA donors, this project will be fully funded through donations. Longtime YMCA donor and advocate Frank DeLuca donated $1 million to lead this expansion project for the YMCA, making this his second $1 million gift for the family center’s capital expansions in the last five years.

Lead donor Frank DeLuca said:

"By sponsoring a YMCA program, you strengthen the well-being of your community, develop the potential of our children, and help our neighbors. We all have certain organizations that are important to each of us in different ways, however our children are probably the most important to all of us. By leaving a legacy in the Y, we are helping assure the future of our children. “I have invested in the Y for over 25 years to provide scholarships to community members in need, and in 2012 the YMCA began a capital campaign to expand the facility due to an increase in membership and community involvement.”

With a focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility, this project addresses each category that is important to the Y mission:

• Youth Development: Providing our youth with more space and opportunities to participate in structured programs that build positive life skills
• Healthy Living: Providing an outdoor space for adults and children to exercise in and build healthy habits
• Social Responsibility: Funded through donations, this expansion project allows us to address the needs of our community
• Outdoor space to address COVID concerns
• More space and activities to help combat obesity and address health issues

“We are committed to finding ways to invest in our community and provide safe environments for people of all ages and all walks of life,” Frank DeLuca YMCA Executive Director Nicole Bloom said.

“That’s actually how our YMCA was started back in the 1980s. A group of people came together to form a YMCA because the kids in our community needed structured programs that taught life skills. That group of Y volunteers met the needs of our community, and as time has evolved, Y staff and volunteers have continued to step up to the plate and figure out ways to meet our community’s ’s need.”

In addition to DeLuca’s $1 million gift, YMCA member and donor Andy Pawlowski has donated to build the Pickleball courts. The YMCA has received donations from several other key donors and members.

The YMCA is hopeful that DeLuca has set the stage for others to donate and create their own legacies by helping the Y reach its goal of $2.5 million for the Sportsplex Project.

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In 2014 the Marion County YMCA was renamed the 'Frank DeLuca YMCA' and broke ground on a $5.5 million expansion and renovation. By January 2016 the renovation was complete adding 14,000 square feet, new locker facilities, a lobby, cafe and meeting rooms.

The project's biggest contributor was DeLuca Toyota Owner/President, Frank DeLuca who donated $1 million to the project.

More than 50 years ago, in his teenage years DeLuca became involved with the YMCA in Orlando, FL. He has been involved with the YMCA in Ocala since 1996.

For more than 25 years, Frank DeLuca and DeLuca Toyota has financially invested in the YMCA to provide scholarships to those who otherwise could not afford to participate in the the life-changing health and wellness programs offered by the Y. Some of those programs include Youth Achievers, a before school program that teaches valuable real-life skills; youth basketball, volleyball, soccer and swimming and adult yoga, silver sneakers programs and group exercise programs

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a program for cancer survivors catered to their individual needs, where certified instructors provide post-rehabilitation exercise and supportive care. The Frank DeLuca YMCA also provides a diabetes prevention program helping people with prediabetes eat healthier, increase physical activity and lose weight.

Additionally the Frank DeLuca YMCA partnership has allowed DeLuca Toyota employees and their families to take part in the many health and wellness activities offered by the YMCA so they can practice healthy lifestyles.

During the past 5 years membership at the Frank DeLuca YMCA has increased from less than 4,000 members to more than 13,000 members today. The Frank DeLuca YMCA is projected to serve greater than 30,000 people in the next five years.

"Helping to improve the overall health and well-being of our community and build character in local youth is a true blessing to me. I am honored and proud to support our Y and the great community of Ocala." said Frank DeLuca.

In 2017 Frank DeLuca received the highest honor from the YMCA of Central Florida, the John Sterchi Award, which recognizes those who provide outstanding lifetime support.