YMCA of South Florida celebrates groundbreaking of new family center and Broward Health emergency department at historic Holiday Park

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Fort Lauderdale took a major step toward reshaping community health and wellness this week as the YMCA of South Florida, Broward Health and the City of Fort Lauderdale officially broke ground on a new YMCA Family Center and an adjacent Broward Health Emergency Department at Holiday Park. The ceremony brought together civic leaders, healthcare executives, donors and longtime community partners to mark the beginning of a project that blends recreation, prevention and emergency care in one central location.

Set within Holiday Park, a green space that has served as a neighborhood gathering place for more than 75 years, the new development is designed to respect the park’s deep roots while expanding what it can offer future generations. Often described as Fort Lauderdale’s “backyard,” Holiday Park has long been a place where residents come together for sports, walking, family activities and community events. The addition of a YMCA and a freestanding emergency department builds on that legacy with a renewed focus on health, access and connection.

The project will occupy a 3.5-acre site donated by the City of Fort Lauderdale and will include a combined 60,000 square feet of new facilities. Of that space, 48,000 square feet will be dedicated to the YMCA Family Center, while 12,000 square feet will house a Broward Health freestanding Emergency Department. The site sits adjacent to The Parker, placing it at a highly visible and accessible point in the city’s eastern corridor.

Beyond its physical size, the project stands out nationally for its structure. Fort Lauderdale will become the first city in South Florida to host two YMCA locations. At the same time, the Holiday Park location will be the first YMCA in the United States to include an emergency department as part of its footprint. For Broward Health, the new facility will mark its first freestanding emergency department in Fort Lauderdale.

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“We are very proud to stand on the grounds of Holiday Park and honored to partner with Broward Health,” said YMCA of South Florida President and CEO Sheryl A. Woods. “We couldn’t do this without our partners and supporters, including the City of Fort Lauderdale. With their support, this new, state-of-the-art YMCA will be a destination for all ages, abilities and backgrounds. It will be a real community hub, filled with healthy living, learning and community options and activities.”

The YMCA Family Center is designed to serve residents across all stages of life. Plans call for a full-service health and wellness facility that includes an aquatics center with a six-lane swimming pool, an indoor basketball court and a modern fitness center. The building will also host youth sports leagues, summer camps, after school programs and a range of health and wellness classes. Community rooms will provide space for meetings, educational programs and neighborhood gatherings.

Once open, the YMCA is expected to serve more than 15,000 children and families each year, including teens and seniors. Leaders say the goal is to make the facility welcoming and accessible, whether someone is looking to stay active, connect socially or find support for healthier living.

Next door, the Broward Health Emergency Department will bring critical medical services closer to residents of east Fort Lauderdale. The 12,000-square-foot freestanding ED will offer full emergency care, including on-site imaging such as CT scans and X-rays, along with lab services and exam and treatment areas. The facility will be staffed by board-certified emergency physicians, providing hospital-level care outside of a traditional hospital campus.

In addition to the emergency department itself, Broward Health will occupy 2,000 square feet on the wellness floor of the YMCA. That shared space will allow Broward Health and the YMCA to work together on community health education and preventive programs aimed at improving overall quality of life.

“This is a momentous occasion as we expand our geographic footprint with a much-needed freestanding Emergency Department to support the City of Fort Lauderdale’s rapidly developing population,” said Shane Strum, President & CEO of Broward Health. “With the YMCA and the City of Fort Lauderdale as partners, we will broaden access to high-quality care and help shape the future of our community’s healthcare landscape.”

City leaders view the project as both a response to growth and an investment in long-term wellbeing. As Fort Lauderdale continues to develop, particularly in areas east of Interstate 95, demand for recreation, wellness services and emergency healthcare has increased. By placing these resources together, officials believe residents will benefit from easier access and a more connected approach to health.

Holiday Park itself spans more than 90 acres and already offers walking paths, a dog park, pickleball courts and multiple sports fields. The YMCA is expected to act as a gateway to the park, drawing new visitors while strengthening ties between existing amenities and new services. Supporters say the project reinforces Holiday Park’s role as a central gathering place while expanding its purpose beyond recreation alone.

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Construction will be led by Fort Lauderdale-based Gulf Building, LLC, with architectural design provided by Stratus Team, LLC of Miami, formerly known as Zyscovich. The teams are tasked with creating a facility that fits seamlessly into the park setting while meeting the technical demands of both a modern YMCA and an emergency medical facility.

Completion of the project is scheduled for 2027. Until then, organizers plan to provide updates as construction progresses and community programming takes shape. More information about the Holiday Park YMCA is available at ymcasouthflorida.org/location/holiday-park-ymca, while details about the YMCA of South Florida and Broward Health can be found at ymcasouthflorida.org and BrowardHealth.org.

For many in attendance at the groundbreaking, the project represents more than new buildings. It reflects a shared vision of a healthier Fort Lauderdale, where prevention, wellness and emergency care come together in one place, rooted in a park that has served the city for generations and poised to do so for decades to come.